Nobody wants to spend ages thinking about their home maintenance. But it’s one of those things that is necessary if we want our houses to be safe to live in and to retain their value. Things will go wrong from time to time. So that’s why it’s worth taking a few moments each week to stay one step ahead. Here’s what to do.
Test Garage Doors
One of the first things that can go wrong around the house is the failure of your garage doors. Garage doors are complicated mechanisms. And as a result, there’s a lot that can go wrong. To test your garage door, try closing it with an object in the way. The door should automatically open again when it hits the object, or when the sensor detects it. If it doesn’t, you could end up damaging the paint on your car.
Clean Out Clothes Dryer Exhaust
There’s been a lot of fuss in the media recently about the dangers posed by clothes dryer exhausts. Clothes dryers cause a significant number of domestic fires. And it’s mainly caused by the buildup of tinder-dry material around the vents. The problem is that these vents are hard to reach on most models. Over time the amount of material from clothing builds up and so too does the heat. All that’s required is a spark to produce a fire that can burn down your house. So most experts recommend you clean out your exhaust filter once per week.
Replace Broken Roof Tiles
It’s best to address roofing problems as soon as you notice a problem. A roof that is in a state of disrepair can quickly become a liability. Missing tiles can weaken the whole structure. And missing tiles also allow rain and damp to penetrate your home. Doing repair work on your roof is dangerous, so it’s best to hire a roof repair company to do the job for you.
Inspect Caulking
Too few of us recognize the importance of caulking. But caulking is the material that seals our homes from the outside elements. It’s what prevents drafts and moisture from entering our homes. Over time, however, caulking can become damaged. Eventually, it can flake away entirely. Once this happens, it’s only a matter of time before mold sets in and our heating bills go up. Fortunately, replacing old caulking is easy. All you need is a bottle of the stuff from your local hardware store.
Clean Leaves From Your Air Conditioner
Air conditioners need a clear air intake to work at their best. But all too often, their air intake is covered with leaves. This puts the equipment itself at risk of breaking down. And it also makes the air conditioning unit much less efficient, pushing up your energy bills. In the fall, clean all the leaves and debris off your air conditioning unit.
Clean Your Chimney
If you’re lucky enough to have a chimney, you’ll know that it can quickly get blocked with soot. As a result, smoke from your fireplace can enter your room. This is bad for your health and the value of your home. Keep smoke in the chimney by having it swept about once per year.
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