Congratulations – You have finally achieved homeownership. The next few weeks will be spent moving, organizing, and adjusting to your new home. Before long, though, it will be time to create a maintenance schedule. Homes require ongoing maintenance to minimize repair needs and control costs. So to help, I have created this first-time homeowners guide to required maintenance to help you cover the most important tasks.
Inspect Your HVAC System and Write Down Your Filter Size
Another key part of the homeowners guide to required maintenance is making sure you take care of your HVAC system. Your home’s HVAC system was likely checked during the mortgage inspection process but will still require ongoing maintenance. Get to know your home’s furnace, including its age and brand, which will make it easier to choose a maintenance company.
You should also change your furnace filter at least every three months and with every season change. Your home’s filter keeps outside allergens and particles out. If it gets clogged, it’s no longer able to do that. Writing down your filter size can make stocking up on replacement filters easier when shopping.
Make Spring All About Exterior Maintenance
Spring weather as a homeowner means it’s time to switch gears and move from indoor to outdoor maintenance. Walk around your home’s exterior and note any necessary maintenance or repairs. Winter can wreak havoc on a home’s exterior, including the paint, roof, siding, and gutters. Hire a professional to inspect your roof to ensure it’s ready for summer weather.
Repaint and recaulk any exterior damages. Make it a point to clean your gutters so summer stormwater can flow properly away from the roof. This is also a good time to call a professional to take care of blocked gutters. Never leave blocked gutters as is because this is one of the easiest ways to cause expensive water damage.
Spring is also an excellent time to check your home’s trees. Make sure they’re in good condition and don’t require any pruning. Summer often brings heavy thunderstorms, and fallen branches can cause expensive property damage.
Measure Moisture Levels in the Attic and Basement
Too much moisture or water can damage your home’s attic or basement. Open your attic vents during the spring to allow for more moisture release. You can use a thermo-hygrometer to check your home’s moisture levels. While the best humidity levels depend on many factors, like your home’s location, ideally, you want something between 35% and 50%.
Look for any signs of water damage from melting snow. Do the same with the basement. If water damage is left sitting for too long, it can lead to mildew or mold growth. A great time to check the attic or basement for water damage is following a winter thaw or heavy rainstorm, as these are times when water is most likely to make its way indoors.
Check and Replace Smoke Detectors
Next up on our homeowners guide to required maintenance is ensuring your smoke detectors work. Many experts recommend checking your smoke detectors at least every six months. Make sure they’re still working properly, and if they’re not, make it a point to replace them now. You may only need to change the batteries, but in some cases, you may need a brand-new detector. This is also a good time to check that your detector doesn’t have a silence feature and that it’s not accidentally activated.
Check for Pest or Rodent Damage
Regularly checking for pest or rodent damage can help you avoid a potentially expensive problem. Check your home’s attic and basement for signs of pests. Take a walk around your home’s property in the spring and summer months to look for pest activity. Getting ahead of the problem allows you to call in a pest control professional before the pests can cause expensive damage to your property or pose a risk to your family.
Keep up With Appliance Maintenance
Your home’s appliances need maintenance, too. Create a schedule that includes deep cleaning and testing each of your home’s appliances. A few things to focus on include checking for damaged cords, cleaning out the dryer’s vent, checking hose connections, and cleaning all the appliance’s screens.
Create a Landscaping Schedule
Owning a home also comes with landscaping responsibilities. Decide if you plan to mow and pull weeds yourself or if you’ll hire someone for the job. Time certain landscaping tasks, like aeration and seeding, for the right months for the best results. Landscaping can also boost your home’s curb appeal, making it an even more worthwhile project.
Check Electrical Systems and Outlets
A quick inspection of your home’s electrical systems is always a good idea. Make sure each outlet is working as it should and that it isn’t hot to the touch after use, and if you notice any problems, call in a professional electrician as soon as possible.
Give the Home a Deep Cleaning
Routine deep cleanings help keep your home clean, organized, and allergen-free. Try to schedule a deep cleaning between each season. Doing so allows you to swap out designs and trends and prepare for the upcoming season. Here is a printable weekly cleaning checklist to help you stay on top of cleaning you are welcome to download and print.
Owning a home means you’ll need to keep up with important tasks, like regular cleanings and exterior maintenance. A strict home maintenance schedule ensures everything is in good working condition and your home looks great. Maintenance tasks can also help control repair costs, making homeownership more affordable. This Homeowners Guide to Required Maintenance will help you keep up with the most important ones.