Among our investments, our home has to be the biggest one. And while its upkeep and maintenance aren’t on the top of the list of our favorite things to do, we must prioritize protecting our biggest asset. Checking up on every part of your home every few months or at least once a year gives you the information you need to decide which parts of it need more attention than others. Regular cleaning and maintenance prevent minor problems from escalating into major ones, which will, in turn, save you both more time and money.
Different seasons affect your home in different ways. Regardless of how each of them interacts with your home, a complete inspection will always be better than just checking specific parts of your home affected by each one. Ensuring that your home functions the way it did when it was brand new will save you a lot of time, effort, and money in costly repairs and large-scale maintenance.
Here are some of the following things in a home that requires regular inspection.
Exterior Care
It only makes sense that the first thing you should inspect is the first parts of your house that you see. It is why you should pay close attention to the exterior of your home. In no particular order, pay attention to these external features of your home:
Lawn and landscaping:
Take your rake and clean up any debris buildup, whatever the season may be. Leaves or stones that block and clog drains on your lawn or your part of the curb require attention. Cleaning helps prevent flooding in localized spots on your property. If you observe balding spots in your grass, fill them by reseeding the problem areas and growing new grass. If you have trees, make sure you have them thoroughly inspected by a qualified professional to spot any tree sickness or root rot early on.
Roof and gutters:
These might not be the first things that come to mind when thinking about home improvements, but roofs and gutters are what protect our homes the most. Inspect if your shingles are still tight and in place. Check if there are any signs of them peeling or coming loose. If there are any, replace them right away. The task prevents other shingles from coming off too.
Additionally, you must check the gutters for debris. Clogged gutters stop rainfall from flowing into the drain pipes. They’re also not designed to carry too much water for extended periods. The overflow of water can get into your roof, causing leaks and water damage all over the house. It can lead to your gutters breaking down or collapsing. A well-maintained roof can save you a lot of money from costly damages.
Exterior walls and siding:
While it doesn’t need mentioning, there’s nothing wrong with reminding everyone to clean and care for their exterior walls and siding. Maintaining them and keeping them free from grime, stains, and pests can do wonders in protecting or even raising the value of your property. Curb appeal is a home’s first impression. It can make or break a potential sale should you decide to sell your property in the future. Maybe even a fresh coat of paint can help the cause.
Interior Care
Your home should be beautiful on the inside and out. And now that you’ve taken care of the exteriors, it’s time to give the interior care too. Watch out for the following things inside your home:
HVAC system:
If your home has centralized heating and air handling, make sure to contact your HVAC contractor for a professional checkup and annual servicing. In addition to checking the HVAC unit itself, they can also clean and maintain other air conditioners, furnaces, ducts, and vents.
Plumbing:
Some of the most annoying damages your house can have are leaks and broken pipes. They’re the most complicated part of the house to repair. It’s especially true if your piping is under concrete or the flooring. It will take time and even more money to open up your floor only to fix a pipe. The best way to avoid plumbing problems is regular inspection. Professional plumbers can identify the current state and health of your plumbing so that you can avoid costly repairs. Remedying plumbing problems early on keeps them functioning smoothly and lowers the risk of leaks and water damage from occurring.
Security and alarms:
By far, this is the most important of all. A faulty security system or fire alarm can lead to catastrophic situations. Ensure that all your alarms are working fine and set up your security system in the most effective manner. It keeps you and your house safe and away from harm while giving you peace of mind.
Other tools and machines:
Lastly, take care of the tools and machines that help care for your home. If you give them proper care and maintenance, it extends their longevity and maximizes their lifetime. It makes them very cost-effective hardware that helps you maintain your home while lasting a lifetime.
Treat these as part of your home maintenance checklist. Ensure you adopt an annual ritual of inspecting and caring for your home. If not, you risk lowering the value of one of your most valuable assets and investments and end up with a liability.
