It’s the start of a new year, that time when we make resolutions. This year, why not make a resolution to take better care of your home? You don’t have to do all the projects at once; just make a plan and stick to it. Don’t forget, there are resources on the internet that address most anything. Do your research and keep your skill sets in mind as you tackle any project.
Make an assessment or inspection of your home.
If you’ve had a home inspection and were there when it was conducted, you may remember that your home inspector looked at a lot of aspects of your home. If you still have it, refer to your home inspection to get a general idea of what areas to cover. Go through the inspection report sections and make a plan for assessing each area of your home.
Prioritize your findings based on severity (must do, should do, would be nice to do) or by category, like mechanical or cosmetic. Do whatever works for you. Think about costs and how you may want to or have to budget the projects.
Set aside an emergency fund for home repairs.
Putting aside money every month can help to take the bite out of any unforeseen costs associated with the maintenance of your home. We usually recommend this during the course of a home inspection.
Most experts recommend allocating 1% to 3% of your home’s value for maintenance or repairs. First-time homeowners can be overwhelmed by the “startup costs” of owning a new home. Having a maintenance fund can help take some of the stress out of having to pay for unexpected repairs.
Perform annual heating and cooling maintenance.
It can be easy to ignore your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. After all, they’re just supposed to work, right?
We recommend annual maintenance of these systems. Maintaining your HVAC system will help it run smoothly and avoid major surprises and expenses. One of the most common HVAC notations our home inspectors make when inspecting HVAC systems is “System does not appear to have been maintained per manufacturer’s recommendation within the last year.” If you have a whole-house air-to-air exchanger, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance.
Some utility companies offer programs that are add-ons to your utility bill and will cover your annual HVAC maintenance. These programs are well worth the money. An example our home inspectors share is that if your 90% efficient furnace is running at 80% efficiency, that’s another 10 cents of every dollar you spend on energy that is going right up the exhaust stack.
Change your HVAC filters when specified.
Based on the type of filter your system requires, it should be changed based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. Dirty filters will not only compromise your home’s air quality, but they will also rack up increases in your energy costs. Dirty filters restrict air flow and make it harder for your HVAC system to efficiently move air. If the fan has to run longer and harder, that will result in higher energy costs. Whether you change your filter monthly, quarterly, or annually, having them on hand makes the task easy and can help you stay on schedule.
Keep your dryer vent clean.
Clogged dryer vents make your dryer work harder and reduce efficiency. The frequency of cleaning your dryer vent will vary based on your family size, but it should be cleaned annually. If you notice that the dryer cycle is starting to increase, take the time to clean the dryer vent. Another reason to keep your dryer vent cleaned is to help prevent fire hazards. If you are not up to the task or if your dryer venting is hard to access, have the cleaning done professionally.
Test and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
For your family’s safety, make sure you are checking that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are tested with the test buttons per the manufacturer’s recommendation. In addition, make sure they are clean and the batteries are replaced regularly. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should also be replaced every 7 to 10 years. Our home inspectors commonly find units that are years past the replacement date.
Check and clean your rain gutters and downspouts.
Keeping water away from the foundation of your home will help to avoid and reduce damage. If your roof is high and steep, we recommend you hire a professional. Keep in mind that an inch of rain on a surface area of 1000 square feet equates to roughly 630 gallons of water. Clean gutters and properly directed discharges will keep that water away from your home’s foundation.
Inspect and maintain your door and window seals.
Door and window seals should be inspected and replaced as needed if they are damaged, loose, or worn. Reducing or eliminating leaks will save you money and keep your home more comfortable. Aside from obvious damage, using a smoke stick or lighter flame can help determine if you have a draft or leak that needs to be repaired.
Clean your kitchen appliances.
Debris, dust, cooking splatters, and dirt can accumulate on, around, and under your kitchen appliances. Take some time to carefully pull out your appliances to clean around and under them. Keeping the cooling coils and compressor area of your refrigerators and freezers dusted and clean will help the appliance run more efficiently. Run your oven through the cleaning cycle, and make sure that any exhaust vent filters are regularly cleaned.
Inspect your roof.
Inspect your roof regularly, especially after a storm and in the spring after the snow melts. If you are uncomfortable with walking on your roof or you feel it’s too dangerous, you can at the very least view it from the ground or eaves with binoculars. Look for damaged and/or deteriorated shingles, and make sure there are no tree branches or debris lying on or in contact with the roof. Repair, replace, or remove as necessary.
Inspect and clean your fireplace chimney.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, it is recommended that the firebox and chimney be inspected and cleaned annually. Depending on the use and system in your home, having it professionally cleaned will help the fireplace operate efficiently and safely. Gas fireplaces should be maintained annually to ensure efficient operation.
Take care of your trees and shrubs.
Annual trimming and inspection of your trees and shrubs helps to prevent damage to your home. Trees are bare in the late fall and winter, which makes it easier to see any damaged, broken, or sagging branches. Keeping tree and shrub branches away from your siding and shingles keeps them from rubbing against them in the wind and causing damage. It also makes it harder for squirrels, chipmunks, and other animals to get on your roof.
Summary
Keeping your home maintained and running at peak efficiency will save you money and protect your largest asset. You may also gain some new skills and satisfaction from taking on some projects you have never tackled before. The items above are not all-encompassing. If you see something in your home that doesn’t seem right, address it sooner rather than later. Maintenance issues do not fix themselves and do not get better over time.
At HomePro Inspections, our home inspectors are trained to inspect the areas addressed in this article. Any issues are documented in your home inspection report and recommended for resolution by a qualified professional.
Visit our website to learn more or to schedule your home inspection in the Rochester, Owatonna, and Faribault, MN areas. You can contact us today at (507) 202-8942 or utilize our online “Schedule Now” feature to set up an appointment.