It’s no secret that maintaining a home is a lot of work!
All year long, there are items – big and small – that need to be checked, serviced, and potentially repaired or replaced. It’s easy to forget an item or two, but depending on which items you forget, it could have a significant unwanted impact.
We find it helpful to break up home maintenance needs into seasonal tasks to make it more manageable. As the winter season continues, here are a few things to remember…
- Clean the gutters.
Gutters and downspouts can get clogged with leaves and other debris, which causes the water from rain or melted to snow to overflow. Check the downspouts to make sure they’re free of debris. All water flowing to the downspouts should be released three feet from the base of the home. By doing so, you will avoid damage to the gutters and downspouts themselves as well as the foundation of the home.
- Change the furnace and air filters.
The cleanliness of your filters impacts the quality of the air in your home. During a season when the windows are typically closed 24/7, this is even more important. Plus, changing the filters helps you save money on energy costs and extends the life of the unit(s). If you’re noticing problems with your HVAC unit, call a professional. Some things are not DIY projects!
- Vacuum the coils on the back of the refrigerator.
Dust build-up happens quickly and could negatively impact the energy efficiency of the unit. Vacuuming the coils removes the build-up and helps maintain the energy efficiency and life expectancy of the unit. And who knows…maybe you’ll find that little thing that rolled behind the fridge last month, too!
- Check caulking around tubs and showers.
Notice any cracks or black mildew stains that can’t be removed? Repairing it right away will help prevent water damage and future mold or mildew.
- Test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
This can be done by holding the test button for 10-20 seconds. If the alarm doesn’t sound, the batteries may need to be changed or the unit may need to be replaced. Doing this annually, at minimum, keeps your system up-to-code and working properly for your safety.
Once you make your list, and check it twice, you can start preparing the spring! We created this Annual Home Maintenance Checklist to make it easy for homeowners to keep up with vital home maintenance tasks.
If you have any questions as you check things off your list, feel free to give us a call at 856.316.1600 or email wecare@ciprianibuilders.com. Our team is here to help with questions and concerns related to home remodeling.