Homeowners know that wear and tear to your home is inevitable, even after upgrades. Regular maintenance can help keep things in shape longer, and there are cost-friendly practices that can make it easier. In this blog, we will discuss ways to stay ahead of your home upgrades, as well as ways to spend smarter on your home maintenance.
Create a Home Maintenance Checklist
The best way to stay on top of your home maintenance is to have a plan that covers everything you should be checking for the entire year, according to NerdWallet. For starters, there are household safety items that you should check monthly to ensure they are working and ready if needed. They include your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers. This also gives you peace of mind knowing they are ready if an emergency occurs.
Seasonal Home Maintenance
Each season brings different weather conditions that can affect your home in many ways. Let’s explore some of the home maintenance you can do each season to keep your home in good condition.
- Summer: Summer brings higher temperatures which will put extra strain on your cooling system. The air filters attached to it capture dust and other particles within your home so your HVAC system can work efficiently. Dirty air filters mean your system is working harder and using more energy, so replacing your filters can save you money. It’s also important to have a professional inspection of your HVAC system yearly to ensure it is working efficiently as possible.
Summer is also a good time to check your appliances. Take advantage of the long daylight hours to clean out the ducts and vents leading from your dryer to the outside or you can have a professional do it for you. This will help your dryer work better and prevent any potential lint blockage that could cause a fire.
Also, clean your refrigerator and freezer coils, in addition to emptying out drip trays. Inspect your dishwasher for any leaks and check under the kitchen sink for leaks or mold. Outside, turn on your sprinklers and check for any broken sprinkler heads or leaks. This will save you money on your water bill.
- Fall: During the fall, rake away leaves and remove them from your gutter and downspouts to prevent water damage after it rains.
Other maintenance tasks that can save you money on energy costs include sealing off any cracks or gaps in your windows and doors that let in cold air. Bigger projects include replacing any drafty windows. Also, inspect your water heater to ensure there are no leaks or clogged lines.
- Winter: Much of the maintenance done during the fall also applies to winter, but there are other things to do, as well, especially if you live in areas where there is snow and below zero temperatures. One is to cover your air conditioning unit when the temperature falls below freezing. After heavy snowstorms, check your roof, gutter and downspouts for damage. Take advantage of the additional time indoors to inspect your sinks, tubs, showers and dishwasher for any issues. Before freezing weather, draining your water hoses and turning off any in-ground sprinkler systems helps avoid cracks, leaks and burst pipes.
- Spring: Once spring arrives, make plans to fertilize your lawn, prune trees and shrubs, and refinish any decks that need it. Remove any winter buildup from your gutters and have a professional inspect your roof for missing or loose shingles or tiles. Replace your air filters and prepare your air conditioning unit for the warmer temperatures.
Regular home maintenance throughout the year is essential to keeping your home running smoothly. It also lets you stay ahead of any minor issues that may become major problems over time.
How About Do-It-Yourself Projects?
According to Bankrate.com, it costs over an estimated $21,000 a year to maintain a home. This includes things such as lawn care, exterior care, interior care and landscaping. By doing things yourself, you can save money on home maintenance.
Of course, some work should be done by professionals, so shop around and get at least three bids from various contractors to get a good understanding of the cost and scope of these projects. Prioritize your home to-do list and save up to get them done. Some smaller ways to save include using programable or smart thermostats and reviewing your electric utility’s rate plan to identify the best and worst times to use electricity.
How Travis Credit Union Can Help
Travis Credit Union is focused on financial wellness and offers products to help homeowners with their improvement projects. TCU offers energy-efficient loans such as the Go-Green and Eco-Friendly loans that let you borrow money at competitive interest rates for energy-efficient appliances and projects.
The credit union also offers home equity lending that you can use for your upgrades and improvements. You can also refinance your existing home loan to take cash out for your projects. Visit Traviscu.org today to learn more.