Routine maintenance can keep your house’s systems running smoothly and help you avoid unnecessary problems. Luckily, most of the things that need to be done are fairly simple and straightforward. Whether you are a new homeowner or a seasoned professional, having a checklist of maintenance tasks can keep you on track.
Trees and shrubs around your home do more than add to its appearance. If they are allowed to get too close to the house, they can also create a home for unwanted pests. Trees that hang over your house can also drop branches and cause roof and gutter damage. Keep them trimmed back to avoid any problems.
Gutters serve a vital function on most homes by channeling water off the roof and away from the foundation. When gutters get clogged with leaves, grit and debris, they are unable to perform that job. Make it a point to clean them out at least once or twice a year. After spring pollen and flowers drop from trees and once the leaves are down in the fall are good times for most people. Be sure to use a sturdy ladder or one of the special extension tools designed to make it safe and easy.
Most homes will have some small gaps that reduce its efficiency. Seal around windows and doors to reduce drafts and cut back on heating and cooling costs. If your home has older windows, consider adding a simple transparent film to help keep heat in during the winter.
There are other reasons to seal those gaps. Did you know that a mouse can fit through an opening that is the size of a dime? Think about what else could possibly get in through the cracks and gaps that are around your house. A few places that you should be sure to check out are where plumbing, electrical and other utilities enter and exit the house.
The kitchen pantry can quickly become a jumble of boxes, plastic containers and bags. That makes it hard to know where anything is and what should be used first. It also gives bugs like the German cockroach a perfect place to find a quick snack. Take a few days to plan a functional pantry design that can help you keep it free from clutter. There is no one method that works great for everyone, but you should have no trouble finding pantry organizations tips. Shelving, pull out drawers, baskets and stacking containers are all excellent ideas to get you started.
If you use a fireplace or wood stove for heat, or if your oil or gas furnace vents through a chimney, you should inspect it regularly. Animal nests and debris can easily cause clogs within its length. The danger posed by smoke and carbon monoxide is very real and serious. If they cannot get out through the chimney because of a clog, they could come back into your house. Carbon monoxide, in particular, is worrisome since you won’t know it’s there.
A sump pump is a useful tool for removing excess water from the basement or crawl space. However, most people fail to check them regularly. This means they don’t know there is a problem until the water is already rising. Avoid the risk of water and mold damage by testing your sump pump every month or so. Pour a bucket of water into the pump basin and make sure it pumps out. If it doesn’t, go through a few basic troubleshooting steps: check the power, float and check valve. If those all appear good, call a plumber to get it back up and running before you need it to keep your home dry.
Wooden decks and fencing take a lot of abuse from the elements. Sun beats on them, drying them out. Then rain, snow and ice all pound them relentlessly. Take the extra step of waterproofing or sealing them every year. It will make them more attractive and extend their life.
Your house should have smoke alarms placed throughout it. If it doesn’t, now is the time to fix that. Make sure you place them in the best locations to maximize their effectiveness. Once you have smoke detectors in place, keep up with the batteries in them. Most experts recommend changing the batteries when you change your clocks, assuming you live somewhere that observes that practice. Otherwise, once or twice a year is usually sufficient.
The moisture from your clothes is vented outside through a pipe. Even if you keep the screen inside it clear, some dryer lint will undoubtedly get into the vent pipe. This is incredibly flammable and should be cleaned regularly to avoid a fire. If you have a vent hose that’s longer than a few feet, consider buying a cleaning kit that can snake through it. Home maintenance is an ongoing process. Maintaining your home’s neatness and upkeep is essential wherever you are in your homeowner’s journey, whether you’re starting fresh or doing some final end of tenancy cleaning. If you keep up with small tasks throughout the year, you can increase the safety, attractiveness and efficiency of your home.
Tiles for walls are more than just practical elements of your home interiors—they are design statements that bring both beauty and functionality to your spaces. Have you ever wondered how a simple change in wall tiles can transform an entire room? With endless options in materials, textures, and designs, tiles can enhance any room, from […]
Creating the perfect wardrobe design for your bedroom interiors can feel like a challenging puzzle. After all, this piece of furniture isn’t just for storing clothes – it’s also a defining feature of your room’s style and a key element of organization. It’s not just a practical necessity; it’s also an essential element that contributes […]
Given a marble’s beauty and timelessness, the variety and types of marble are extensive and boundless in the modern world. Different types exhibit different colors, patterns, and textures based on their origin. That being said, selecting the right type and variety that suits your space is crucial to justify the beauty of marble. Regardless of […]
Marble bathroom designs transform your bathroom interiors to a great extent, considering marble’s purity, shine, and grace. With bold veining, rich texture, and different colorations, marble can transform an ordinary bathroom into a different level of refined relaxation. From sleek, minimalistic designs to strong statement pieces, marble suits your styles, rendered to be equally complimentary […]
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice in the interiors? The furniture, the walls, or the ceiling? Often overlooked, the ceiling plays a significant role in defining the ambiance of a room. If you’re looking to add some flair, sophistication, or a modern touch to your living room, false ceiling […]
As soon as you enter a space, walls define its boundary, volume, style, and experience. Interior wall designs are crucial in determining the mood and aesthetic appeal of an interior space. To create a one-of-a-kind space for occupants and guests, the interplay of interior wall designs and their volume is key. To evoke a feeling […]
In small bathroom layouts, every square inch counts. Without a thoughtful plan, a small space can quickly become cluttered, making it feel even more cramped. The right bathroom layout not only enhances functionality in interiors but also creates a sense of openness. Think about it—how frustrating is it to move around a bathroom where the […]
Do you enjoy keeping games, books, and ornaments in your hallway? This carefully chosen collection of living room storage ideas will complement your interior decor and be suitable for Indian homes. These are chosen from a shortlist of different product designers’ living room storage designs on Archioo. The following living room storage concepts have been […]
Creating a TV unit design in bedroom requires the right balance of functionality, optimization, and aesthetics to enhance the space. Apart from cots and wardrobes, TV units in a bedroom play a pivotal role in captivating an individual’s attention. Keeping in mind, the design theme and concept of your home, the TV unit design in […]
Are you worried about the small space left in your kitchen? In parallel kitchen design, the layout divides the kitchen into two parallel counters. Including the parallel kitchen design, the work sequence includes store, wash, prepare, cook, serve, eat, and be followed by clear and wash up. From the sequences, we learn that three appliances […]