Preventative Home Maintenance: How To Avoid Expensive Repairs

You will find that if you keep up with your home maintenance over the years

, instead of having to make big, expensive, unplanned repairs, you can schedule routine repairs when it suits your budget. While it is easy to forget about doing maintenance, it is a good idea for you to set up a maintenance schedule to do repairs on a regular basis to avoid finding yourself needing to do an unplanned repair.

Heating and Cooling Check-Up

One of the largest components to your home is the heating and cooling system. If you take the time to have it inspected annually you can avoid the panic repair call. By scheduling maintenance repairs in the off season, you may also find that you can negotiate a better price for the repairs. Another good practice when it comes to your heating and cooling system is to check you system filters monthly and replace them when necessary. If you have a gas furnace you will want to periodically check the pilot light.

Maintain the Laundry Room

When it comes to your laundry room, some simple maintenance helps to keep everything in good working order. Check water hoses for signs of age or any cracking, and replace them if you even suspect that they may have a problem. Check dryer vents periodically to make sure the exhaust system is running clearly, and remove any lint buildup from dryer vents.

Detectors

Alarms need to be in working order for your own safety. Both your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector should be checked at least two times per year and the batteries replaced. You will also want to look at the GFI receptacles to make sure they are working OK.

Appliance Maintenance

Make cleaning the back of your appliances part of your spring-cleaning routine. Pull them away from the walls and vacuum the coils behind them. This is especially important for your refrigerator. Look at the seals on your refrigerator and freezer doors and make sure that the seal is good. You also want to clean the filter in your range hood monthly.

Water System Health

Another one of the large systems in your house, there are several things that you can do to insure that the water in your house keeps flowing properly. Check leaky faucets and install new washers. Check the pressure relief valve on your water heater to make sure that it is in good working order. If you have a sump pump, clean the basket routinely. Also check for blockages in the drain traps. Make sure that all of your water pipes, especially on the exterior wall, are properly insulated to keep them from freezing and bursting

Then there are a few seasonal maintenance jobs that can keep you ahead of costly repairs. Check the gutters and drainpipes to make sure that they are clear of debris. If your gutters fill with water, when cold weather comes, ice damage may occur. Make sure your weather stripping is in good condition around all exterior windows and doors.

Bring in garden hoses and shut off exterior valves in the winter to avoid freezing. Have your chimney cleaned once a year, either just before or just after you have used it for the season. Keep your fireplace clean by removing ashes on a regular basis.

Just by doing routine maintenance on your house, you will keep many major problems from occurring. Remember that it is much better to plan a repair than it is to have it surprise you, because the surprise always comes at the worst possible time.

by: Jasmine Albriton

POST COMMENT

Swimming Pool Leaks Finding The Right Look- The Five Greatest Strengths Of Natural Furniture Are Vaction Homes Really That Great? Tips To Get Organized At Home Or In Your Office Tracking Down Floor Lamps Toning Your Abs - A Simple Guide To A Flatter, Well-toned Abs Outdoor Metal Building Sheds - Built To Last Building Back Our Lives 5 Things You Should Know Before You Buy A Foreclosed Home Designer Kids Furniture How To Donate Office Furniture The At Home Blood Pressure Kit What Is A Home Information Pack?