If you are going to be moving into a new home or just planning on revamping your current home, you need to make sure that it is safe, functional, and makes you feel comfortable. You also want to ensure that you don’t spend more money than you need to either. A lot of home maintenance things you can figure out on your own. There are tutorials and videos online that will walk you through most things pretty simply. There are several things you need to hire out, and finding local offers for the best companies to work with will go a long way to making sure your work is done efficiently.
While that may seem overwhelming, focusing on what is most important will help you keep your priorities straight. Here are several of the most important home maintenance tasks to keep in mind when you start your next project.
Sump Pump
One appliance that often gets ignored is the sump pump. Making sure it is in good working order regularly is what keeps your home dry and safe. You should check the pump a couple of times a year by dumping water into the basin that surrounds it to make sure it is draining quickly.
Check Water Pressure
Pressure-reducing valves are used to make sure that the water pressure isn’t going to damage any pipes or appliances in your home. Older valves will slowly stop working, which will gradually increase the water pressure placed on the items in your home. It not only puts a lot of undue pressure on your pipes and appliances, but it can also cause water waste and increase your utility bill.
Window Weep Holes
Some windows have weep holes on the bottom of the exterior of the window that gives rainwater a place to go instead of in your home. If these holes get clogged with bugs or dirt, then the water will drain into your home. If you pour a small container of water on the track of the window or spray a garden hose into the weep hole, you should see a steady stream of water flowing out. If you don’t, they need to be cleaned.
Refrigerator Coils
Every refrigerator has condenser coils on the back. These are located at the bottom of the fridge and are usually up against a wall in a tight spot, so they can easily become covered with dust and other debris. If they are dirty or blocked, your refrigerator will have to work much harder to keep your food cold. This will increase your energy bills and will cause your appliance to eventually stop working.
Dryer Vents
Clogged dryer vents can cause a myriad of problems. It will cause your dryer to run inefficiently, so you will increase your energy bills, and your clothes will not get dry. They can also be very dangerous as the extra lint is a tinder box for starting a home fire. You should not only clean the lint trap in your dryer each time you use it, but you also need to clean out the entire vent system regularly.