It's no secret that our homes are one of our most prized possessions. But it's not only about monetary value. Our home is where we feel safest and most comfortable-our haven, our little heaven on earth.
There's, therefore, every reason to look for ways to maintain your home and keep it in its best condition. That involves keeping it structurally sound, cozy, and aesthetically pleasing.
Maintaining a home is more than just keeping it clean and beautiful.
Below is a core home maintenance checklist you ought to start practicing from today.
1. Walk around your house to spot issues
Your interior may be so cozy that there's nowhere else you'd rather be. With the AC running, hot water, Jacuzzi, the lounge, and your bedroom all so heavenly, why go to the back of the building?
But then, several things may be going wrong in your home without showing any real obvious impact until they're full-blown and catastrophic. No one wants that.
Below are some critical areas to monitor in your home:
- High-stress windows and doors
- Standing water around the house or moving water flowing towards the building
- Wall cracks
- Attic, basement, sweating ductwork, and other small spaces
- Siding under windows and doors around the chimney, decks, etc.
- Floors that have become soft, unstable, or having coloration.
- Peeling paint in your interior or exterior. If the paint breaks along a line, it may be due to moisture along with that level.
- Trims
- Check wooden elements for discoloration or mildew growth.
You can carry out such an inspection in the cool of the evening with a glass of wine in hand. However, you want to be mindful to enable you to detect anything out of the ordinary. Use all your senses to observe: eyes, nose, hands, feet, and all you've got. As you walk, take note of how the floor feels against your legs.
And when your attention is drawn to an anomaly, but you have no idea what it means, look it up on Google or ask a building expert near you.
2. Check pests
Pests are an utter menace. No one wants them at home. But unfortunately, they always seem to find their way in. And they wreak so much havoc.
Pests like cockroaches, mosquitoes, rodents, and flies are not only an eyesore but can cause diseases to you and your loved ones. Your food in the kitchen is at risk (just as every occupant in the home) with bugs moving about. Having insecticide and rodenticide becomes very helpful. But do you know that a seemingly harmless insect such as an ant can cause damage to your building?
Although they don't cause diseases, ants and termites can eat into the building's wooden components and cause damage. It's a wise investment to call a professional Ant Pest control service when you notice the population of ants in your home is getting out of hand.
3. Vacuum floors
If you've got carpets, which you most likely do, you should have them vacuumed at least two times weekly. The best vacuum cleaner is one that has a HEPA filter. The reason is that the filter will not only help to remove dust but also eliminate dirt, pet materials, and other contaminants that could cause sickness to the home occupants.
While vacuuming, move furniture and vacuum underneath and behind them as well as other objects.
To reduce the amount of dirt you have in the home, take off your shoes as you walk in from outside.
4. Prevent moisture from accumulating
Moisture can be a great concern for homes as it leads to the growth of mold and mildew. They can cause allergic reactions and irritation, and their spores can easily enter the air we breathe in.
Additionally, moisture attracts insects, and any small pool of stagnant water can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
But regarding your home's condition, moisture can weaken both wooden and steel components.
To reduce the chances of moisture lying about your home, repair leaky roofs, sinks, and pipes quickly and mop wet grounds dry. Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen to control humidity in these critical parts of your home. Otherwise, leave windows open frequently as moving air from outside can help dry up moisture.
5. Give the roof due attention
One rather overlooked area of home maintenance is the roof. While we don't get to make much contact with our home's roof, they are a critical piece, one that's pretty expensive to repair or replace. And a damaged roof casts a black shadow over the beauty of a home.
So how do you care for your roof?
Clear ice dams as soon as possible. They form on the edge of the roof and prevent liquefied snow from draining away. Leaving water to accumulate is bad for roof health.
Remove moss, as it can trap water on the roof, leading to damage.
Do not power-wash shingles even when trying to get moss off. The pressure can loosen roof granules.
Ensure proper ventilation and insulation, especially in the attic.
6. Ensure proper ventilation and insulation
This has been mentioned under caring for the roof but deserves a section of its own.
Heat and moisture from within an attic can damage roof shingles gradually. As warm air rises, it makes contact with the colder wooden elements on the roof, cools down, condenses, and can lead to mold growth. Proper ventilation and insulation of the attic will help prevent such excessive temperatures on either side of the scale that may lead to heat or moisture buildup.
7. Maintain cooling and heating systems
Another quite overlooked part of the home is the cooling and heating system. Your air conditioning system works by collecting warm air inside the house, cooling it, and circulating it back through your interior. With this continuous repeat, these systems can become a trap and circulatory unit for pollutants. It's therefore essential to clean your vents and replace filters from time to time to ensure healthy, clean air is circulated throughout your home daily.
Bottom Line
There are so many seemingly trivial things we take for granted but on which our home's health depends. By observing the above home maintenance checklist, you can be sure your home will be in good condition for everyone living within to enjoy.
