Homes are investments! However, they require upkeep and care that is beyond what renters must do. It’s important Here are some tips to keep your home in good standing.
Cleaning Humid Areas
There are always rooms where it is humid. It’s unavoidable, and super normal, but the up-keep is super important. There are many ways to do this, through your home.
In bathrooms, it’s important to clean the tile. By scrubbing bathroom tile and grout monthly, it helps to avoid mold or mildew buildup. Grout upkeep is critical, because it helps to stop moisture damage, protects health, and maintains structural integrity. Bathrooms are essential rooms, and by doing up-keep, it can help to avoid emergency repairs or total floor replacements.
Check Gutters
Gutters are essential in homes. It’s important to monthly check for leaves or obstructions in gutters, and to make sure it is draining properly. It’s important to clean the gutters every season, and especially in fall, as so many leaves can often fall into the gutters. Gutter guards are a great idea for homeowners, as they prevent debris from falling into the gutter entirely.
Maintain downspouts. This is important to make sure this is unblocked, as they are close to the home, and if neglected, can cause serious water damage.
Landscaping
It is important for homes to have landscaping. It’s not only about how the house looks, but the landscaping is integral for the foundation. It can help to properly avert water away from the house, which can help to protect the house from water damage. It can also increase your home’s value.
Check for trees around your property. Trees are beautiful, but roots can affect plumbing and the foundation.
Gardening with mulch. Mulch can help reduce weeds and keep moisture there. Mulch is also helpful because it limits the amount of erosion, and it helps to moderate soil temperature.
Pests or diseases. It’s important to continuously check your property for pests, such as ants, spiders, mice, or stink bugs. Diseases include wood-rotting fungi or gray mold. It’s important for landscaping to be upkept to help circumvent these issues.
Maintenance of Home Appliances
Home appliances are required for homes and people to function properly, so up-keep on HVAC systems, water heaters, laundry machines, and kitchen appliances is essential. It is good practice to have yearly maintenance on HVAC and water heaters, because it can help to avoid larger issues. Additionally, it can lower utility bills, and prolong the lifespan of the appliances.
Kitchen appliances! There are many things that you can do to keep your kitchen appliances running.
For fridges, it’s important to clean condenser coils twice a year, wipe door gaskets with warm water and a sponge, and to maintain airflow. Fridges shouldn’t entirely be flush with the wall, so that if the appliance fluctuates in temperature, it can safely change temperature without affecting the wall entirely.
For dishwashers, cleaning the filter monthly is important. It can help prevent food build-up and odor. Additionally, it can help prevent poor drainage, and keep the dishwasher clean effectively. To also keep the dishwasher working properly, checking and cleaning the rotating spray arms for blockages can make the dishwasher work more efficiently, which can lower energy and water bills.
Ovens are a major appliance, and up-keep is extensive. Firstly, most ovens have self-cleaning features, and typically take between 2 to 4 hours. To prep for this, make sure to properly ventilate your kitchen to do this. Ovens should be cleaned at least twice a year. Cleaning your over racks is super important! Taking them out and scrubbing the burnt sections off is an afternoon chore, but can truly help to lengthen your oven’s life.
Laundry machines are essential to life, and there are many things you can do.
Washing Machines
Daily, it’s wise to avoid overloading your machine. If a machine is overloaded, it puts extra stress on it, and clothes aren’t washed properly. If you have a front-load washing machine, it’s also important to check the door seals on it daily to make sure the performance of the washing machine is up to par. It’s also important to clean the appliance monthly, including the filter (if it has one) and agitator. Yearly, it’s important to inspect hoses and connection, to prevent damage to your washing machine or the wall.
Dryer
It’s important to clean out your lint trap after every cycle. It allows for better usage of your dryer. Every six months, you should deep clean the lint trap, so that the dryer lasts longer. It’s also important to clean the internal vents with a vacuum cleaner.
Plan for Seasonal Maintenance
As the seasons change, it’s important to prepare your home for the seasons to change. In winter, make sure your heating systems are working properly, and insulation is adequate. In spring, it’s important to clean gutters, in summer it’s important to check on air conditioning, and fall is the perfect time to inspect and check your heating again. It’s also the time to inspect and implement weather stripping, and caulk around windows and doors to prevent drafts.
Need some renovation help around the house? Penn Construction & Design is here to help. Contact us today at (484) 452-5071, or stop by our showroom at 8 Campbell Avenue, Havertown, PA.
