Being a homeowner in the current economy is an accomplishment in itself. It also provides fantastic motivation and inspiration to ensure that the space you and your family live in remains in top-tier condition.
However, it can be challenging for many first-time homeowners to know which portions of their home require a closer eye and more routine maintenance to ensure everything is operating at optimal capacity.
Don’t worry. We’re here to help.
Here are five house maintenance tips that every first-time homeowner should know.
Clean your gutters
Depending on where you live, this task may require more or less frequent upkeep. However, cleaning your gutters throughout the year is crucial to ensure that debris doesn’t accumulate and weighs them down.
Neglecting to do this regularly can result in severe long-term issues, including leaks, rot, and other expensive damage that could cost you a pretty penny to fix.
Clean your dryer vent
Whether you have one or multiple laundry days per week, you should clear your dryer's lint tray after every use. However, what many first-time homeowners may not know is that you should clean your dryer vent every six months.
Just like your lint tray, lint can build up in your dryer vent, which could lead to blockages. Down the line, this can result in not-entirely-dry clothes and cause a potential fire hazard and damage, which restoration companies in Kelowna can offer help with.
Drain your water heater
Over time, sediment collects at the bottom of water heaters through regular use. The more this collects, the less effective your hot water heater is. This build-up can also cause clogs that may lead to malfunction, which could cause water damage.
Here, homeowners have two options: call for professional water damage restoration services or do the draining themselves.
Check your bathroom caulk
Caulk is the sealing around your bathroom tiles and fixtures that traps water and keeps it from seeping through.
It’s vital to check this sealing regularly to ensure that everything is working as it should. If you find cracks or vulnerabilities, be sure to rectify them quickly - either by calling in a professional or patching it up yourself - to prevent costly water damage and stop it before it becomes a bigger, more expensive problem.
Clean your refrigerator coils
Appliances are expensive, especially the big ones! The kitchen is often described as the ‘heart of the home.’ If that’s the case, then the refrigerator is the stomach.
Since they are large and difficult to move, it’s easy for the space behind and under your fridge to gather a ton of dust and debris, which can impact its ability to release heat and keep your items cold.
Cleaning your refrigerator coils is the most efficient way to maintain its energy-efficiency and extend its overall life.