A home is one of the most expensive assets many people will have in their lifetime. It also comes with many additional costs. Thankfully, there are several preventative measures you can take to preserve and enhance the value of your home. Paying attention to the projects your home requires is a good way to avoid emergencies, but when you’re in a bind you should always get the project done with immediate cash for emergencies or another way ensure that the home is kept up.
Get the Plumbing Inspected
Your home’s plumbing provides water for doing laundry, dishes, and bathing. It’s an essential component that provides comfort to you and every member of the household. Maintaining the plumbing by having annual inspections by a licensed plumber is beneficial. A professional can make an assessment and advise things to fix now that could cost thousands in the future. For example, you can use pipe leak protection before it affects your water supply.
Inspect Your Roof
A home’s roof can cost $20,000 or even $30,000, depending on the type and the materials used. For this reason, it’s in your best interest to make it last as long as possible. Preventing water pooling and damage to the siding and paint is something you can achieve by cleaning out the gutters twice each year. Cutting back tree limbs to avoid hangovers and an excessive amount of wet leaves is also helpful. If your roof is more than 10 years old, contact a roofing company and have them inspect it prior to the cold weather months.
Get Professional Pest Control
Pests can do damage to your home’s interior and infrastructure. Insects such as termites and carpenter ants are common, especially in neighborhoods with new construction. Unfortunately, while common, they remain out-of-sight until they break through a wall or a ceiling. By this time, the damage to your home is extensive to the tune of thousands of dollars. The good news is you can avoid the cost and the damage by having a pest inspection once a year with a professional pest control service.
Spring for an Annual HVAC System Check
Your heating and cooling system provides year-round comfort. It keeps you cool on a hot summer day and warm during the cold winter months. This is one reason you should have annual servicing by a licensed professional. They can advise of parts that look worn or updates that can improve your level of comfort and lower utility bills.
Clean Out Vents
There are several vents in your home. Some connect to your heating and cooling system while others are part of your appliance. Keeping them clean will improve airflow, allowing you to sustain maximum energy efficiency and improve indoor air quality. Clogged vents can also increase the potential for a fire. This is especially true regarding dryer vents. The electric heating elements when coming in contact with lint can become ignited. Make sure to clean house vents monthly and the dryer vent weekly.
Examine the Bath Fan
The bath exhaust fan takes in airborne particles and moisture. Over time, this can cause a loss of effectiveness and cause damage to ceilings and walls. Thankfully, this is a project you can do on your own. Simply remove the cover and, using a stiff brush designed for exhaust fans, remove the collected debris.
Hire a Chimney Sweep
If your home has a fireplace you need to have it checked by a professional prior to the new season. A sweep of the chimney will remove any debris such as leaves and tree branches. It’s essential to keep the opening of the chimney clear to allow for the safe release of potentially harmful toxic fumes. Regular maintenance will reduce the threat of a fire, prevent wild animals from settling inside and improve your indoor air quality.
You worked hard saving money to buy your home. The last thing you want is to spend more money on preventative damage. Performing regular maintenance prior to the winter and summer months will save money, improve your quality of life, and help sustain the home’s value.
