Having a home to call your own can be very fun and rewarding, but it also comes with some responsibilities. Even with the advanced techniques used to build modern homes, some upkeep is required on the owner’s part in order to keep their home functional and prevent it from falling into disrepair. From servicing your heat pump and air conditioner to cleaning the gutters and sealing cracks, here are the most important yearly maintenance tasks for your home.
1. Schedule an Air Conditioner Service
It’s one of the hardest working appliances in your home, so servicing your air conditioner isn’t something you should ever overlook. In order to save energy and help the units cool your rooms quicker, you should have a professional come and remove dust, unclog the filters, clean the coils, and assess the refrigerant levels. This also helps catch small issues before they turn into big ones, and can significantly extend the lifespan of each unit.
2. Clean Gutters and Spouts
They may not be complicated pieces of technology, but gutters and spouts play a crucial role in keeping our homes free from moisture, mold, and flooding. That’s because they deposit rainwater at a safe distance away from our homes so that it doesn’t pool around the base, where it can seep in through cracks. At least once a year, remove the leaves and other debris from your gutter to prevent it from blocking.
3. Service Heat Pumps and Systems
A yearly heat pump service helps maintain performance, reduce wear, and most importantly, prevents sudden failures. A typical service entails a licensed technician cleaning the internal components, inspecting the safety controls, and ensuring that the pump is receiving adequate airflow. They will also check the refrigerant levels and make sure that the defrost cycle works well. The ideal time to schedule the service is in the Autumn, shortly before the weather really turns cold.
4. Seal Wall Gaps and Cracks
Over time, the elements can cause small holes forming in walls, around windows and doors, and in your home’s foundation, letting in draughts, moisture, and even pests. Fortunately, they can easily be filled with caulk or expanding foam. Take particular care not to let in moisture, which can lead to unsightly mold on the walls. This is unhealthy to live with, and a nightmare if you are staging your home or trying to sell.
5. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Ideally, you should test these at least twice per year. It can be done in minutes and can potentially save your life and the lives of anyone you live with. All you have to do is press the test button to see if they emit a strong sound. If they don’t, then change the batteries. You can also vacuum them to clear out dust from the sensors. Make sure they are sensibly placed near sleeping and cooking areas.
6. Check Exposed Pipes for Leaks
Checking your pipes is another task which can take just minutes but potentially save you a lot of money and stress down the road. What you should look for are signs of leaks, such as water droplets or dark, cold patches in the surrounding areas, damp smells, and visibly rusty or corroded pipes. Check the areas around your sinks, toilets, shower, and heat-pump hot water system. Spotting these early and fixing them can prevent the pipes from bursting later.
Conclusion
It’s not the most glamorous part of owning a home, but scheduling regular maintenance is a smart investment that every homeowner should make. Everything here is easy to do or arrange, and it can help keep your home safe, efficient, and free from extensive damage.
