How to Keep Your House in Good Condition
Having a house that you own is one of the greatest accomplishments a person can make in their life. The feeling of being a homeowner can invoke a great sense of pride. However, being a homeowner also means taking on responsibilities to ensure that your home remains in good condition. When some minor issues occur, you have to act quickly to prevent them from evolving into large, expensive problems. Here are some examples of mistakes to avoid when it comes to your home:
1. Not Having A Home Warranty
No matter how new or well-serviced your appliances and systems are, there is always the chance of them breaking and being in need of repairs. For example, what if your air conditioner breaks in the middle of summer? Having a home warranty will not only help you in the financial aspect, but also it will help you get it fixed in a timely manner, so you are not suffering in the heat longer than you need to. The cost of a home warranty is minimal, and is much less than most major repairs cost.
2. Forgetting About (Or Ignoring) The Small Stuff
When you notice something like a small crack in a board on the deck or a drippy faucet, it is so easy to forget about it or hardly pay any mind to it. After all, they aren’t issues that demand immediate attention, right? However, these tiny issues can turn into big problems if they’re not attended to right away. A small crack in the board of your deck can result in it rotting and needing to be replaced – or the entire deck. A faucet that “occasionally drips” can rack up your water bill and also slowly rot your floors without you even noticing. Taking care of “small” issues right when you notice them will be cheaper to deal with as opposed to the cost of fixing them when they turn into larger issues.
3. Neglecting HVAC Systems
The HVAC system in your home needs to be serviced annually so it does not fail in times of extreme heat or brutal cold. Having your central AC unit, furnace, and/or heat pump serviced before using them heavily will help you know if there are any issues that could come up in the future. Making sure that the filters are changed when they need to be, and keeping the ducts clean will also decrease the chance of your HVAC system having serious issues.
4. Skipping Maintenance on Your Appliances
Just like your HVAC system, your appliances need to be serviced regularly. This will not only prevent serious health risks due to malfunction, but maintenance on your appliances will also prolong their lifespans and ensure they are working at maximum efficiency. There are other ways to make sure your appliances are taken care of that does not involve contacting a professional to look at the machine. For example, you can clean out the dryer vent to make sure there is nothing obstructing it. This will lower the risk of a fire as well as make sure the dryer is not working harder than needed, thus consuming more energy.
5. Not Doing Regular Checks Around the House
Something everybody should do that is hardly done is check around your house for irregularities. This includes walking around looking for areas of wear, leaks, dead batteries in fire alarms, and other issues. Some places that often have the most issues are not visited nearly enough, like the attic and the basement/crawlspace. And don’t forget to look outside for issues, like damage to the roof or missing or cracked siding. It is crucial to catch these problems early so they do not get worse.
Having a place to hang your hat at the end of the day is such a rewarding feeling. Homeowners owe it the themselves to take care of their house so that it is an enjoyable, safe, and comfortable place to live. Some actions that keep your home safe and energy efficient can also save you money on your insurance premiums!
For more information, contact us today with any questions you may have so that you can take the necessary actions to keep your home in good condition.