As a homeowner there is not much worse than a major repair popping up when you least expect it! Whether this not so fun surprise is from the breakdown of your HVAC, plumbing, roof, or electrical system you can expect for it to cost you time, money, and stress to get it restored. One way you can stay ahead of repairs and extend the life of your systems is by performing routine maintenance and helpful habits yourself.

 

Here are some easy routine maintenance habits and general tips for you to take care of your home and protect your pockets:

HVAC

• Regular changing or cleaning of air filters: Dirty filters cause your system to work harder pulling air through your returns. Replacing disposable filters and cleaning any reusable ones will take stress off your unit and keep it running smoothly!

• Keep your coils clean: At least twice a year we recommend you to open up your outdoor unit for cleaning. Clear out any leaves or other debris and rinse the condenser coils with water. For a deeper clean you can use a coil cleaner spray following the instructions on the can!

• Avoid overworking your system: Find a comfortable temperature for your home and try not to crank it up too high or low throughout the day depending on the season. Keeping a consistent reasonable temperature can reduce the strain of constant use and help extend your units life.

Plumbing

• Check for visual leaks: Inspect any toilets, under sinks, and exposed piping for leaks and persistent moisture. If you find a leaking area, address it immediately to avoid the problem worsening and prevent further damage.

• Keep drains clean and clear: Help prevent clogs and backups by not pouring any grease down the drain and use strainers to catch other debris such as hair or food. You can also use baking soda and vinegar down the drain to aide in the breakdown of buildup!

• Winterize your plumbing: Extreme winter temperatures may cause your pipes to freeze and burst which can cause major damage not only to your plumbing, but to ceilings, floors, and walls in surrounding areas.
  • Outside make sure that all water supplies are turned off, drained, and insulated. If you have a well house you can use a heat lamp or heater to regulate the temperature above freezing.
  • Inside make sure that any unheated areas such as the attic basement have the pipes insulated.

• Clean your water heater: Flushing your tank or changing the filter helps your system run as smoothly as possible and prevents unnecessary wear and overtime work. For traditional storage-type heaters, drain and flush the tank at least once a year to remove built up sediment. Also, visually inspect the joints and pipes for rust or leaking joints. For tankless heaters you can check and change the water filter yearly.

Roof

• Ensure proper attic ventilation: Correct intake and exhaust vents within the attic creates a cycle of pulling in fresh air and pushing hot and humid air out. This cycle aids in cooling and removing moisture which helps to preserve shingles and the interior structure as well as reducing ice dams in the winter that can cause leaks. Proper ventilation can help extend the life of your roof by years.

• Clear debris from rooftop and gutters:  Avoid moisture buildup on the rooftop and pooling in gutters by making sure they are clean and clear. Ensuring that the rooftop and gutters are clear can reduce rot, organism growth, and deterioration of your roof. These practices protect the integrity and longevity of your roof.

• Keep trees trimmed: Trimming back trees from can help prevent friction damage as well as keeping debris from falling and causing damage to shingles.

• Visually inspect: Inspecting your roof can help you discover and quickly address any damage to shingles, vents, and gutters to prevent moisture and leaks.

Electrical

• Upgrade outdated components: Replacing old sockets and switches can indirectly improve the life span of your electrical system. Installing new hardware ensures that your switches and outlets are installed correctly and up to current safety standards. This could prevent overheating the wiring and overloading circuits.

• Don’t overload circuits: Overloaded sockets or circuits can cause damage to your electrical system. This damage could be overheating, tripped breakers, and in severe instances, electrical fires. To avoid overloading circuits try to spread your usage across multiple circuits and avoid using many high-wattage appliances at the same time that are on the same circuit.

• Use surge protectors: Spikes in energy caused by things like power outages and grid fluctuations can damage your wiring as well as your appliances. You can use whole-house surge protectors as well as strip plug-ins to safeguard your electrical system.

 

Overall it is important to stay on top of your home’s maintenance. If you are not comfortable inspecting and performing maintenance yourself you can always contact a professional in your area to help out! Whether you hire out the work, do it yourself, or have a mix of both, performing routine maintenance gives you valuable insight into the current state of your home’s vital components and helps extend their life. This knowledge can help you avoid surprise breakdowns and give you time to prepare mentally and financially to repair or replace important systems when the time comes.