Consider adding "keeping up on home maintenance" to your list of New Year's resolutions and kick things off with this helpful January checklist.
The holidays are officially over and a new year has begun. Consider adding "keeping up on home maintenance" to your list of New Year's resolutions and kick things off with this helpful January checklist. Taking care of routine home maintenance will help you avoid future headaches and potential costly repairs.
A dirty filter is one of the most common reasons a heating and air conditioning system breaks down. Changing your filter regularly is an easy and inexpensive way to maximize the energy efficiency of your heating system, extend the life of the unit, and help purify indoor air.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that consumers test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every month to ensure they are properly working. Smoke alarms should be placed on every level of the home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. If you do not have a carbon monoxide detector, be sure to get one. These should also be installed on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas.
Ice dams and icicles form when water from melting snow re-freezes at the edge of your home's roofline. If left unchecked, ice dams may grow large enough to prevent water from draining off the roof, which can create roof leaks. To prevent this potentially costly problem, keep your gutters clean, ensure your downspouts are functioning properly, and keep your attic well insulated. Also, try to remove at least the lower 4 feet of snow from the roof edge immediately following heavy snow fall – a tool called a roof rake can be handy for this job.
_____ Tighten Any Handles, Knobs, Racks, Etc.
Your drawers, doors and cabinets get daily use, and over the years, handles can become loose or damaged. Go through everything and tighten any handles, knobs, or racks that may have a loose screw.
Over time your range hood fan filter may become so blocked with grease and grime that it can lose its effectiveness, so it's important to clean these filters periodically. There are several tutorials online that show you how to clean with simple things like boiling water, baking soda, and a good de-greasing dish soap.
Basements can be often overlooked, so this is a great time to give that space a thorough cleaning. While you are at it, inspect the area for any signs of moisture. If you do notice any issues, take care of it right away, and call an expert if needed.
This simple task can extend the life of your refrigerator, help it run more efficiently and cut down on utility bills. If you have a shedding pet, you may want to do this more often as fur can clog up the coils quickly. The condenser coils, located on the back of the refrigerator or across the bottom, cool and condense the refrigerant. When they are clogged, your compressor has to work harder. This chore does not take long and there are several tutorials available online.
If there are any unused bathrooms in your home, or other unused areas with a sink, etc., make sure you take a few minutes to run water through the sink and shower, and flush the toilet every so often. This will keep your traps full. Unused bathrooms can cause the water to evaporate, allowing sewer gas to enter the home.