There’s certainly no place like home, particularly when it’s a new, custom built home that you put your heart and soul into designing. Memories are made and bills are paid all in this place we call home, so it’s important to protect your investment in order to keep enjoying your home to the fullest.
In order to keep your custom home looking as good as new, regular home maintenance is a must. Preventative maintenance pays off in the long run. Taking a few minutes to create a maintenance “to do” list on your calendar and following through with it can save you time and money over the years and keep your home in great shape for you and your family to enjoy.
Here are some handy tips on how to keep your home maintenance up-to-date year-round:
Monthly Maintenance
Inspect fire extinguishers —
It’s best to have a fire extinguisher centrally located on each floor of your home. It should be easy to find, and not boxed-in behind clutter. Inspecting it only takes a few minutes. Simply verify it has adequate pressure and shows no sign of wear and tear.
Change air filters —
Keep the air in your home clean and free from allergens by simply changing your air filters monthly. This inexpensive habit will keep your heating and air conditioning units functioning efficiently.
Clean range hood filter —
Pick up a degreaser from an auto parts store and combine it with hot water in which to soak your range hood filter. Once the grease and grime have loosened, complete the cleaning process by rinsing it well.
Clean kitchen sink disposal —
Pour ½ cup of baking soda into your kitchen sink disposal, then add 1 cup of hot white vinegar. Leave the mixture for 10 minutes, and flush with hot water to have a refreshing, clean kitchen disposal again.
Quarterly Maintenance
Test smoke detectors —
This simple test can save lives in case of a fire. Simply push the test button on each detector and verify it is working. If you don’t hear an alarm sound, you may need to clean any corrosion off the battery terminal and test it again. If it doesn’t respond with the alarm sound when it’s tested again, replace it.
Test carbon monoxide detectors —
Like smoke detectors, these life-preserving indicators should be tested monthly. If they don’t pass the test, replace them promptly.
Run the water in unused bathrooms — Prevent buildup by running water through the sink and toilet in your guest bathroom if it isn’t used regularly.
Spring Maintenance
Test your water heater’s pressure relief valve.
Replace batteries in your smoke detector.
Replace batteries in your carbon monoxide detector.
Check your exterior drainage.
Clean out your gutters.
Have your air conditioner serviced.
Repair or replace your window screens.
Clear away all leaves and debris from your home exterior.
Inspect your roof for leaks and repair needs.
Inspect trees, and trim where needed.
Summer Maintenance
Vacuum your refrigerator coils.
Deep clean your house.
Repair grout in your kitchen and bathrooms.
Proactively prevent insects from entering your home.
Clean your deck and patio.
Clean your dryer vent.
Clean the garage.
Fall Maintenance
Replace batteries in smoke detectors.
Replace batteries in carbon monoxide detectors.
Test water heater pressure relief valve.
Flush hot water heater, and remove sediment.
Winterize air conditioning units.
Have heater serviced for the winter.
Turn off outdoor water faucets and cover them to protect them from freezes.
Clean the chimney if you have a wood-burning fireplace.
Fix any cracks in the driveway or walkways.
Winter Maintenance
Test garage door’s auto reverse feature.
Check caulking around showers, bathtubs, and sinks.
Check deadbolts on doors and windows.
Remove showerheads and clean off any sediment.
Check for ice dams and icicles around your home’s perimeter.
Deep clean your home.
Vacuum refrigerator coils.
Preventative home maintenance always pays off in the long run, so taking a systematic and seasonal approach to addressing the items listed above will keep your new home looking great year-round.
Parker Built Homes, a custom home builder, specializes in new home construction in Tulsa, Northeast Oklahoma, and Northwest Arkansas.
