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A home is a job that never ends and it’s often difficult to find the time to keep up with it. However, your home is an asset and the more you work to maintain it, the more valuable it will be to you as the years go by. There are certain jobs in the home that need to be done to keep your home in good condition.
If you intend on selling your home in the future or passing it on to your children or grandchildren, you’ll need to make sure it’s maintained. Take a look at these fifteen ways to keep your home in tip-top condition.
1. Regrout Bathtubs, Showers, and Fixtures
It’s usually obvious when you need to regrout bathtubs, showers, and fixtures. If left too long they can become unsightly and look dirty in an otherwise clean bathroom. The first signs of needing to regrout are usually crumbling, peeling, or mildew.
Firstly, clean the grout with diluted bleach in water so you can see the extent of the damage. Once clean, you can start to regrout.
2. Check Your Roof
Checking your roof regularly is arguably one of the most important things you can do to maintain your home. If you don’t check your roof and there’s damage present, it could cause much bigger problems down the line. If you have roof damage, you may start to notice dampness inside your home which is much harder to rectify.
Get a professional to check your roof at least once every year for any potential problems so you can fix them before they become a costly nuisance.
3. Update Paint
When selling your home, the first thing potential buyers see is the exterior of your property. People will look at how well maintained the exterior is. If the paintwork outside isn’t well maintained, it’s very noticeable.
The last thing any potential buyer wants to see is dirty or flaking paintwork. Keep your paintwork fresh by sanding down old paint and repainting your exterior every year. Similarly, it’s just as important to maintain paint work indoors.
Keep up with modern trends by updating color schemes and designs in your home while maintaining a splash of your own personality.
4. Clear Drain Systems
Drain systems are essential to the maintenance of your home. Without them, you could be dealing with water damage throughout your property. Check your drainage systems and clear them of any clogs that cause potential build-ups or floods.
Trench drains are excellent ways of ensuring your driveways or pool areas have sufficient water drainage. Check out the plumbing guide by Swiftdrain for more information on trench drains and their benefits.
5. Clear the Gutters
Similarly, your gutters should be checked and cleared regularly. A buildup of debris in your gutters can cause leaks that enter your home. It can be difficult to reach gutters on your roof and other high places so you may need to call on a professional who can do the job safely.
Removing leaves, branches, and any other debris will mean your gutters are clear to rid your roof of any build up of water due to rainfall.
6. Fill in Patio Cracks
During hot weather, your patio or driveway can develop small cracks. Over time these cracks can become larger and unsightly. Weeds can start growing through the cracks and they can also become a suitable home for pests.
Before unwanted plants and creatures move into your home, it’s wise to fill in the cracks as soon as they appear. This is a job you can do by yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. It involves injecting grout into the cracks and leaving it to dry and solidify.
7. Air Conditioning
The quality of your indoor air is more important than ever. In fact, research shows that indoor quality can be just as bad as outdoor quality, even with all the emissions in our atmosphere. You can purify the air quality with air purifiers on different levels of your home.
If you have an air conditioning system, make sure it’s maintained regularly. It should be cleaned and serviced every six months to ensure you’re getting the best air quality when it’s in use.
8. Be Mindful of Pests
Pests can make a home for themselves quicker than most people realize. It only takes a few to get inside your home, hide away and breed before you have an infestation. Common house pests like spiders, ants, bed bugs, mites, and more are notoriously difficult to get rid of once they’re in.
If you can spot the signs quickly, you can avoid pests becoming a problem. You may notice a small number of pests coming from cracks or holes near exits in your home. As soon as you notice a pest it’s worth investigating and calling pest control to evaluate your home and get rid of any pests.
9. Trim Trees
Trees are wonderful additions to any property. They add beauty and value to your home but they can also be dangerous when they aren’t maintained. It’s important to trim your trees and keep them healthy.
An unhealthy and untrimmed tree is a danger to anyone around it, especially in bad weather conditions. An unhealthy tree can become brittle and unstable and is more likely to fall on buildings or people during a storm. Get a professional tree trimmer to take care of your tree every year.
10. Deep Clean Appliances
Your appliances will last longer if you take good care of them. Part of this is cleaning them regularly. For your freezer, this may mean unplugging it, defrosting it, and cleaning it before plugging it back in again. You can also clean and disinfect your fridge to maintain it.
Your washing machine should be put on a self-cleaning cycle once a month or you can use a cleaning solution. A tumble dryer should be cleared of any lint and deep cleaned inside. Smaller appliances like kettles or toasters may need to be replaced more frequently if they’re used everyday.
11. Reseal Doors and Windows
Drafts coming from doors and windows can increase your energy use significantly. With the rising cost in energy prices and the cost of living in general, it’s important to reseal any cracks where drafts can come in. Inspect your doors and windows for any cracks or holes in the seals.
You may be able to do this job easily yourself but if you find a large number of cracks, it may indicate a bigger problem. Find out how old your windows are and get advice on whether you need them to be replaced.
12. Inspect Your Walls
Your walls can be big indicators of other problems in your home. It’s worth looking at all the walls in each room for any evidence of problems. For instance, you may notice damp patches, cracks, dents, or general wear and tear.
Any damp patches will lead you to where water could be coming in from the exterior. Any cracks or holes should be filled in quickly before pests get a chance to make their way inside. General wear and tear can be fixed easily with some paint.
13. Landscaping
Your backyard is a valuable part of your property. Many house-hunters are looking for easy to maintain yards that are family friendly. However, many yards are like a full time job when it comes to keeping them clean and tidy.
Consider getting your yard landscaped so you can get the most out of it. If your yard is easy to maintain while still offering space to spend time outdoors, it could increase the value of your property without taking up too much of your spare time.
14. Care For Flooring
Your flooring is the most used part of your property. This is especially true if you have a large family or visitors in your home often. Your floor can take a beating so it’s not surprising that many people find dents, chips, or unlevelling in wood floor.
Carpets usually need replacing more frequently than hard floors because they can quickly become stained or dirty. Without regular maintenance, your floor can look unsightly. You can care for your floor by laying down floor protectors like rugs or runs. It’s also important to replace your flooring when you need to.
The Neverending Job
There will always be another job to do when it comes to maintaining your property. Just as you think you’re finished, you’ll look around and find something else. No matter how tedious the tasks, there is a reward in maintaining your home.
Not only will you be living in a home you can be proud of but you can also be sure that you’re investing in your future. Whether you keep the property in the family or sell it on one day, all of your hard work will pay off. A well-maintained property will be far more valuable than a property of equal size that has been left to rot.
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