13 Home Maintenance Tasks You Can’t Afford to Ignore

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While home maintenance isn’t glamorous, it’s one of those things you can’t afford to ignore. It’s a lot like making sure you get your car serviced regularly; it prevents little things from becoming big things that cost a lot of money.

In general, what can start off as a small roof leak or leaky faucet can amount to some costly repairs if not tended to early. Now, let’s look at maintenance tasks that can keep your home in tip top shape and save you from headaches down the road.

Test Your Sump Pump

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Your sump pump is an unsung hero if you have a basement, keeping the basement dry during heavy rains or floods. Unfortunately, it’s easy to forget it until you need it, and if it’s not working you could end up with a wet basement. The best way to avoid that is to make sure the sump pump goes on by doing an occasional test to make sure your sump pump kicks on—that water gets consumed, and gets out of your sump pit. Simple, but essential!

Examine Your Siding

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While your home’s siding may not get a lot of attention, it protects your home from rain, snow and wind. Eventually, these cracks, warping, or gaps can allow moisture to creep in and over time, so make a point to walk around your home’s exterior once or twice a year — or after harsh weather — to check for any signs of damage.

Keep Your Driveway and Walkways

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Eyesores or not, cracked and uneven driveways or walkways are dangerous. In winter, water that seeps into small cracks freezes and expands making the problem grow worse. Small cracks can be repaired with patching compound to prevent bigger problems later on and keep your pathways safe and looking good.

Seal Windows and Doors

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While those tiny gaps around your windows and doors may seem harmless, they’re the perfect escape route for warm or cool air, depending on the season. This makes your HVAC work harder and raises your energy bills. Sealing up those leaks with a little caulk or weatherstripping goes a long way toward making your home more energy efficient.

Check for Plumbing Leaks

Parts of Your House That Will Always Fail a Home Inspection
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Small problems like a leaky faucet or running toilet, can waste quite a bit of water and they can make an unpleasant addition to your utility bill. Beyond that, hidden leaks can ruin floors, cabinets, and even your home’s structure.

Clean Your Dryer Vent

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Safety is a biggie with this one. A clogged dryer vent doesn’t just make your dryer less efficient, it can be a fire hazard. If the heat’s too intense, it causes a flame inside the vent, which means it gets a lint buildup, which ignites. Clean out the lint from the vent pipe not only in the trap inside the dryer every few months. It’s a simple task that would avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

Check Your Foundation

Parts Of Your House That Will Always Fail a Home Inspection
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Any damage here is a sign of trouble because that’s where everything else rests on. Over time, you could get small cracks from settling, however, you want to watch them. If you see cracks widening or floors out of level, it’s probably time to bring in the pros. Checking your foundation regularly will help you catch problems early, before they become much more expensive.

Trim Overhanging Trees

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The big, beautiful trees around your home might give you shade, but they can also be a hazard if they’re too close. In a storm, overhanging branches can damage your roof, siding, or windows. Trim back branches that come too close to your home not only to protect your property but also to keep critters from using them as a bridge to get inside.

Check Your Roof for Leaks

Parts of Your House That Will Always Fail a Home Inspection
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According to Roof Guard Company, your roof is your first line of defense against the elements, and even a small leak can turn into a big problem. Water seeping into your attic can create mold, weaken your structure, and ultimately cost you money in repair work. After a storm, take a walk around your house periodically to look for missing shingles or any signs of damage. You don’t want to wait until you see drip inside because by then it’s already too late.

Clean Your Gutters

Parts of Your House That Will Always Fail a Home Inspection
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While you might not think gutters are the most exciting part of your home, they are essential to ensuring water is channeled away from your foundation. Water can overflow and pool around your home when it’s clogged with leaves and debris, which can even cause foundation cracks or basement flooding. The fall is a perfect time for a good clean out, as it will save you from bigger problems in the future.

Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

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Small as they are, your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can save your life. Have them tested at least twice a year and replace the batteries once a year. A good rule of thumb is to do this when you change your clocks for daylight saving time. It’s a simple task that only takes a few minutes, but it’ll make a big difference in home safety.

Inspect Your Water Heater

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Because water heaters are out of sight, out of mind, a little attention can go a long way in extending your water heater’s life. Once a year, flush out any sediment that has built up in your water heater by draining it. This sediment can make the heater work harder resulting in higher energy bills or a premature breakdown, as this asph.com article attests. I promise you, no one wants to be greeted by an icy shower on a cold morning.

Service Your HVAC System

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Your heating and cooling system is the heart of your home: when it’s working well, life is comfortable. However, ignoring it can cause it to become inefficient and eventually break down, when you least want it to. An annual inspection will keep it running efficiently, and catch any problems before they become expensive. And you also want to change your filters regularly for best performance.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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