Sure, there are always more exciting things you could be doing rather than taking care of small home maintenance issues; decorating the living room, adding space-saving design options or even just chilling out in your kitchen cooking dinner – that all sounds more appealing to me!
However, if you ignore the quick and simple home maintenance tasks they’ll become a bigger problem over time – and will therefore end up costing you more money to put right. That’s why it’s important to stay proactive when it comes to the upkeep of your property.
Here are some key tasks you can do right now to make sure that your home is comfortable and well-maintained for the coming year.
1. Inspect Your Roof
The roof is obviously one of the most important parts of your home – without it, you’re going to get pretty wet and cold. So, in order to make sure it’s in good condition and will protect you from the elements, you’ll need to check it for damage.
Just to be clear I’m NOT saying you should go anywhere near your roof – and definitely DON’T climb up there! Just stand well back in your garden, or even from the other side of the street, and have a good look at it. You can even take a photo and use that to zoom into areas to get a closer look at the condition of the roof.
Over time the weather will batter your roof – especially in the winter – and can cause damage without you realising it. Keep an eye out for sagging areas and missing tiles. When you address minor roof issues early it’ll prevent expensive repairs in the future or even a full roof replacement, which would cost thousands.
2. Check Your Windows and Doors
The windows and doors play a big role in your home’s energy efficiency, comfort and, of course, security. Damaged or outdated windows are going to cause drafts and increase your energy costs so it might be time to replace them and save money in the long run.
When it comes to window replacement it’s not too difficult to spot the signs: Aside from the rising energy bills you will likely notice wear and tear on the frames or the double-glazing may have ‘blown’ – with misting or condensation inside the layers of glass.
In my case, I can even smell the smoke from the neighbour’s chimney seeping in through the edges of my old windows. And, on very windy days, the curtains will move even when the windows are shut, showing just how many gaps are around the edges to let the breeze in.
So, when you’re next cleaning them, have a quick check of the condition of your windows. And when you’re indoors, keep an eye out for billowing curtains or put your hands close to the frames to see if cold air is coming in. If so, it’s time to start researching a replacement.
3. Service Your Heating System
Your heating, air conditioning or ventilation system will keep your home comfortable throughout the year so y ou want it to function well. Regular maintenance helps to prevent breakdowns when you least want one (such as a boiler malfunction in the freezing cold winter) and it also extends the lifespan of your system.
You should keep an ear out for any whistling in the pipes and check if the radiator gets warm at the top as well as the bottom – otherwise, you might need to bleed your radiator.
Plus, you can schedule a yearly inspection by a professional to make sure the whole system is safe. Any little maintenance tasks can be completed during the inspection and will ensure everything is running smoothly, which in turn will help to keep your energy bills low.
4. Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Blocked gutters are a problem that’s easy to fix. When bunged up with leaves and gunk, it can cause water damage and leaking pipes can create foundation issues. However, it’s easy to solve this before it becomes a problem – simply get the debris and dirt removed so that water can flow through very freely.
Again, I DON’T suggest climbing up high to clean those gutters yourself but a professional window cleaning company is likely to have a gutter-cleaning service that you can add on to a regular window clean. Or you can get a gutter-clearance pro to clear out everything so you’ve got a clean slate to start with.
At this stage, you can consider having gutter guards installed to minimize the buildup of debris and reduce the amount of maintenance you have to do in the future.
5. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Devices like carbon monoxide detectors as well as smoke detectors are essential to protect your family. You need to regularly check them to make sure they’re always functioning properly.
You should test the detectors monthly and replace the batteries at least once per year. If your detectors are more than ten years old you should consider replacing the units altogether. I’d say this is absolutely essential maintenance to keep your home and your family safe.
I hope these tips will help you to maintain your property this year and can minimise the amount you’ll need to spend on home repairs in the future, therefore saving you money that you can spend on decorating the living room instead haha! Let me know your home maintenance hacks in the comments below, I’d love to hear your top tips.
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