Simple, routine home maintenance pays for itself and then some by preventing frequent, costly repairs and replacements. This is especially true for things like the roof and HVAC system.
These 5 Maintenance Tips Could Save You Thousands In Unnecessary Repairs
Another bonus? Prioritizing these five maintenance tips also optimize whole home energy efficiency and safety.
1. Clean Your Dryer Vents
We’re not talking about the lint tray that you should clean out every time you dry clothes. The dryer vent (or dryer exhaust) is the fixture that carries the warm air out of the dryer and into your home.
According to Consumer Reports, “…every year, firefighters across the country respond to around 13,820 home fires caused by clothes dryers, according to the latest figures from the National Fire Protection Association. About 27 percent of these fires are caused by an accumulation of lint, which constricts the ductwork that expels hot air outside.”
Make it a biannual (fall and spring) tradition to remove the ductwork and clear it – and the vents – of any residual debris.
2. Replace the Batteries in Your Smoke Alarms/CO Detectors
Here’s another biannual maintenance to-do you can align with clearing your dryer vents: Smoke and CO detectors are literal lifesavers, but their batteries need to be replaced every six months to ensure they work when you need them.
It’s something that only takes a few minutes, but it can make a huge difference should a fire or gas leak occur in your home.
3. Run Water Through Your Fixtures Regularly
Depending on how big your house is, certain rooms may not get a lot of use. But you still need to care for them. Guest bathrooms are a great example of this.
When the fixtures in your guest bathroom are left unused, dirt and grime can build up in the pipes. To avoid this, you should regularly run water through them. You don’t have to do it for very long or often—every few months should suffice. In addition to supporting the health of your home’s plumbing system, it also prevents embarrassing backups or plumbing issues when you open your home to guests.
4. Clean the Refrigerator Coils
Your refrigerator coils live at the back of your refrigerator, which is why this home maintenance tip is easy to ignore. You probably haven’t seen the back of your fridge since you first bought it, but some of the most important elements in the refrigeration and venting system are at the back of the fridge – and against a wall.
One of the most important of these parts is the coils. The coils cool your refrigerator down, and like anything else, they can get dirty. Cleaning them regularly will ensure that your fridge runs at maximum efficiency, which can reduce utility spending and extend its lifespan.
5. Check the Filters in Your HVAC
Your HVAC has a tough job — especially if you live in an area with a lot of air pollution. In order to do its job properly, it needs clean air filters. You should check on these air filters every few months and change them out if necessary. We also recommend scheduling an annual HVAC inspection with a licensed technician to catch other HVAC red flags before they lead to unnecessarily expensive repairs or replacement.
Changing the HVAC filters is easy. Doing so at least every six months – more often if occupants have allergies or if you’ve recently completed a home renovation – extends the lifespan of your HVAC and helps to avoid costly repairs down the line.
Learn More Critical Maintenance Tips During a SIP Home Inspection
These tips are all DIY-friendly and don’t require much time, but they can have a significant impact on utility bills, reducing repair costs and the overall safety of your home.
However, when it comes to identifying key home maintenance issues, there’s only so much that you can do yourself. Contact Super Inspection Pros to schedule a complete home inspection and learn more about how to maintain your home to optimize efficiency and safety.
