Homes are great investments, but owning a home comes with responsibilities you may not be used to. For example, you will need to maintain your home and have certain things checked on a monthly or annual basis. Consider these home maintenance tips.
Chimneys
If your home has a fireplace or wood-burning stove, you need to check your chimney and have it cleaned regularly. Before winter, you may have video inspections of your chimney Virginia Beach VA by an outside company to determine whether you need your chimney swept. You may also have your chimney swept during the winter or in the spring, depending on how much you used your fireplace or stove.
Leak Inspections
You should check your attic and basement several times per year to ensure that you don’t have any leaks. This type of inspection should be done during major rainstorms or times when a lot of snow is melting. Also, make sure your gutters are cleaned out. Leaking roofs can damage insulation and encourage mold growth throughout your home, while leaking basements can damage your home’s foundation.
Vents
During the winter, to prevent leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning, your vents, meters and oil-fill pipe should be cleared of snow. Each of your vents, including your dryer, water heater and HVAC vents should be checked regularly.
Filters
Your home’s HVAC system or furnace has filters that must be replaced several times per year. These filters become filled with dust and other debris, which may affect your home’s air quality and damage your system. Therefore, check your owner’s manual for how often you need to check and replace your filters.
Garage Doors
Your garage doors should be tested at least once per year. Your first test should include the safety shutoff features. Your door should stop any downward motion when its safety beams are breached. Your garage door will also need lubrication along its hinges and rollers, but be sure to use the right lubricant because some doors have metal rollers, while others have plastic rollers, and the lubricant is different for each.
Take your responsibilities seriously, and make sure your home stays safe and in good shape through proper maintenance.
