Top Three Maintenance Projects That Will Save You on Costly Repairs

Caring for your home with a few regular maintenance projects will save you on repairs down the road as well as utility costs over time. It will take less time, and money, to keep your home running efficiently then having to fork over thousands of dollars in repair costs later.
These are the top three maintenance projects you should focus on to keep your home running smoothly:
1. Inspect and Maintain on the Outside
Regularly inspecting your roof and making minor repairs when needed will save you money on a costly new roof. Check for leaks, missing shingles, and gaps. After a storm, check for any damage from rain, wind, or hail. This will also help you avoid water damage down the road which can cost much more than a new roof.
Keep your gutters free of debris by giving them a good cleaning once or twice a year. If water can’t escape through your gutters, it will build up around the foundation of your home and can cause foundation issues later on.
Power wash your home, porch, and deck a couple of times each year. This simple and inexpensive task will keep weeds from growing through your foundation and walkways and keep mold and mildew from accumulated on your house and around your entrances.
Have your HVAC system professionally maintained at least once a year. Removing any debris and build up in the coils will keep your system running efficiently and help it last longer.

2. Inspect and Maintain Doors and Windows
Doors and windows can be the culprit for high utility bills. If they’re not properly sealed, they will let out too much cool air in the summer and too much warm air in the winter, making your heating and cooling systems work extra hard and raise your monthly utility bills.
Poorly installed or sealed windows and doors can also allow moisture to get into your home, creating mold and mildew around the frames and getting into your home. Too much moisture around doors can lead to mold in your carpet. Inspect your seals and frames for any damage and repair or replace rotted areas as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could find yourself shelling out a lot more money later on.
3. Inspect and Maintain Appliances
Over time, if your appliances aren’t properly maintained they’ll become less efficient and eventually break down. Help them last as long as possible and save yourself money on costly repairs and replacements by performing regular maintenance on your major appliances at least once a year.
Just because you clean the lint trap every time you dry your clothes does not mean your getting all the lint out. Lint accumulates in the dryer vent causing your dryer to run less efficiently when it’s not cleaned out and even causing a fire. Lint build up in your dryer vent can overheat and spark a fire.
As long as you’re inspecting your dryer, you may as well inspect your washer as well. Washing machine hoses can crack, causing leaks and major water damage. The tiniest leak might go unnoticed for a long time, causing mold problems. Make sure your hoses are flexible and that there are no signs of cracks and leaks.

Keep your refrigerator running at it’s best too by cleaning the coils of dust and builds up at least once a year. Simply pull your refrigerator away from the wall and vacuum the coils. You can also purchase a coil cleaning product from your local hardware store that will remove any additional build up.
It’s much easier, and less expensive, to schedule regular maintenance projects around your home once or twice a year than to deal with a major repair later on. You’ll be glad you did them.