Lifestyle

Top 5 Most Important Home Maintenance Tips

It is that time of the year when we all slip out of our winter cocoons and take a long, good look at our house. What are the areas that need your particular attention? What are the problems that you should address immediately before they become more costly to improve? Here, we take you through five key areas that you should be careful about when inspecting your house for annual maintenance. Keep in mind that for some of these maintenance issues, you might have to consult with your local homeowners’ association like City Property Management.

IMAGE: PEXELS

1. Inspect Your Vents

Make sure that your vents are clean and in good order. The vents are not used much during the winter, which is the right time for dust and other dirt to get collected in them. Since spring is near, get a good contractor to inspect your vents and ensure that there are no obstructions of any sort inside. You can try cleaning them on your own with a vacuum cleaner but this will only give a basic level of cleaning. You will still need to call in a professional cleaning company to give a thorough cleaning to your vents. After all, you do not want your family to breathe in polluted air that could make them sick.

2. Check The Exterior

We usually neglect the outer walls and roof during the cold and wet months, but this is the time when they take the worst beating. Prolonged exposure to wind, moisture and cold temperatures can lead to some pretty extensive damage to your walls. Check for signs of paint peeling off, especially around the back of the house where you usually don’t pay much attention. Also, check if the roof needs any damage. At times, this may even be a mandatory requirement in your home insurance policy. Take the time to replace broken shingles and remove any debris or dirt from the eaves and gutters.

3. What’s In The Basement?

Checking the basement is a wise step especially if waterlogging and flooding are common problems in your locality. You will probably be able to detect small signs of drainage issues, but it is always better to get a professional company to come and inspect the basement and foundation for any moisture and drainage issues. And while you’re at it, you might even go ahead and check for any infestation problems, especially rats, termites, and even raccoons and other small mammals that might have taken shelter inside your basement during the winter months.

4. Inspect The Fittings

Some of your fittings may have become damaged during the winter months and may require repair or replacement. For example, the storm windows might have become damaged due to the winter rains. Check them and perhaps take them down to set up screens. This will allow sunlight and breeze to come into your house and keep it ventilated during the warm months. You may also want to have the chimneys and flues cleaned thoroughly. Also, check the kitchen exhaust for any grime and dirt that may have blocked the filter.

5. Polishing The Surfaces

Your house may require washing and polishing on some surfaces such as the deck or patio, pool area, garden furniture, and so on. If you have sidings on your windows, you might want to inspect them for any broken parts or damaged surfaces. The pool area might have some fungal growth that you might want to get cleaned with a good disinfectant. Caulking is another problem you may need to be careful about. Since your family is probably going to spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer months, you must ensure that these spots are safe and hygienic for your entire family.

If you are interested in even more house-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels then we have a lot to choose from.