Home maintenance goes beyond dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming. If you want to properly take care of your property, you need to step it up. In this article, we’ll go over some of the common home maintenance tasks that you’ve probably forgotten to do — or that you weren’t even aware of! By completing these chores, you can retain the value of your home and maintain a comfortable environment for your household.
8 Common But Vital List of Home Maintenance Tasks
Maintaining a home can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not sure what needs to be done. However, there is a list of home maintenance tasks that are essential for keeping your home in the best condition. These tasks are not only important for the overall appearance and functionality of your home, but they can also save you money on costly repairs down the line.
#1 Dust your refrigerator coils
When was the last time you checked the back or bottom of your fridge? If you’re like most homeowners, probably never. Refrigerator coils or condenser coils cool your fridge’s refrigerant, the substance that absorbs and releases heat. When these coils are clogged with dirt, dust, and other debris, insufficient heat will be released. As a result, your fridge will have to work harder and longer. In effect, this will shorten the lifespan of your refrigerator — an expense that any homeowner would like to avoid.
If you want to maximize its energy efficiency, you should clean the condenser coils every six months using a brush and vacuum. If you have shedding pets, do it more often as fur can clog the coils fast.
#2 Clean your gutters
Gutters direct rainwater away from your home’s foundation. When debris accumulates in your gutters, it could cause rotting, sagging, leaking, and more. “Nuisance” animals such as squirrels and rats may also make their way into your attic. Similarly, wasps and hornets may build a nest in your gutter, especially if it is infested with insects.
Commit to tackling this chore at least four times a year, especially after fall. If your property has plenty of trees, it’s a good idea to give your gutters a regular clean.
#3 Flush your water heater
Don’t let this DIY chore slip your mind. Over time, sediment will build up within your water heater, causing rumbling or banging noises. When left unflushed, that sediment can cause the tank to rust out, which means that you’ll have to replace the whole water heater.
Flushing your water heater is an extremely easy task that you can complete in minutes. When done correctly, it can stretch the lifespan of your water heater to up to ten years. Ideally, this task should be done once a year, but professional plumbers suggest flushing your water heater every six months.
#4 Clean your stove hood
The kitchen is one of the rooms that homeowners want to keep as immaculate as possible. It is, after all, where food is prepared. When you think about it, though, kitchens are steamy, smoky, and greasy — hence, they’re bound to become dirty.
One of the filthiest spots in your kitchen is your stove, particularly your stove hood. Although it keeps your kitchen “clean”, it accumulates airborne grease. If it isn’t cleaned, it won’t work as efficiently.
Cleaning your stove hood or vent hood should be done every month, and even more often if you’re a home cook. Wash the hood with warm and soapy water, and spray it down with lukewarm water afterward. If there’s too much gunk, you may want to use a degreaser.
#5 Unstick sticky drawers
Every home has at least one of these “sticky” drawers. They’re drawers that are impossible to open unless you give them a strong pull. If you’re tired of giving your arm a mini workout every time you open your drawers, try fixing this issue with this home maintenance tasks hack:
Rub the edges of the drawer with paraffin wax. It’s safe to use, so you don’t have to worry about it touching your skin. If your drawer still sticks, run nylon tape on the part of the drawer where it sticks. If this still doesn’t work, you might want to hire a cabinet installer through your property management service provider.
#6 Pressure wash your patio
A pressure washer is a sprayer that removes loose mold, grime, dust, and dirt from surfaces. If you have a pressure washer, you might want to pressure-wash your patio, driveway, deck, fence, etc. every six months to keep them bright and unblemished.
But be careful — pressure washers are powerful. When used incorrectly, power washers can do more harm than good. As a rule of thumb, use them away from plants and pets.
#7 Replace air filters
How often do you replace the air filters in your air conditioner and heating system? Did you know that replacing the air filters extends the longevity of your appliances and enhances their efficiency?
Air filters catch dirt and debris to provide you with comfortable indoor air. If left uncleaned, the filters will become clogged, forcing the HVAC unit to work harder and run longer. That’s why it’s important to replace the air filters every ninety days. Be sure to buy filters that are the right size and type. If you’re unsure, you should ask your single-family property management company to contact a professional HVAC technician.
#8 Clean your dryer vent
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that approximately 2,900 house fires are caused by clothes dryers each year. One of the common causes of clothes dryer fires is dryer lint.
To avoid disaster, don’t forget to clean your dryer vent every six months. If your ductwork isn’t complicated, you can clean out the lint using a vacuum. Be sure to check the opening of the duct outside the home, and seal it so that small animals can’t crawl inside.
While we’re on the topic of dryer vents, you might want to check if you have plastic ductwork. In general, you should stay away from plastic ducting, as it can be a fire hazard. Ask your professional property manager to look into this if you’re unsure.
Conclusion
Home maintenance tasks can be a hassle, but with our high-end home maintenance checklist, your home can be in perfect condition throughout the year. Plus, if you’d like an extra pair of hands, the property managers at Luxury Property Care can help. We are a team of real estate experts that help homeowners maximize and manage their South Florida properties. Whether you own a luxury home or an estate, we take the trouble to take care of your home.
Call us at (561) 944 – 2992 or leave us a message to get started.
