Simple Home Maintenance Tips

by Cheryl Szczarba 08/09/2020

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, keeping up with maintenance can be a serious challenge. But by focusing on simple maintenance tasks, you can put your best foot forward as you’re trying to improve your home and keep it lasting for many years to come.

Keep Up on Plumbing

Your plumbing system is one of the most important aspects of your home. This system deserves a high level of care. In order to ensure your pipes are running smoothly, keep the following considerations in mind:

  • Keep Those Drains Healthy
  • Plumbing pipes tend to go bad because homeowners aren’t aware of what they shouldn’t put down their drains. When our drains accumulate fats and oils, clogs and other serious damage can occur. That being said, never pour fats for oils down your drains to limit the chance of any clogs.

  • Use a Hair Strainer
  • While oils and fats are common culprits for clogs in kitchen drains, hair does the harm in the bathroom. But if you use a hair strainer for your bathroom drains, you can easily avoid these clogs.

    Maintain that AC Unit

    Our home’s air conditioner tends to be the most overlooked appliances in our home. That is mostly due to the fact that our units are typically hidden outside. Without proper care, you could be dealing with a broken AC unit sooner than you anticipated. Be sure to frequently inspect the condensation hose on your unit and always check the areas around your system for mold growth or leaks. It’s also important to ensure that the screen around your air conditioner is clear of debris. This debris can cause your unit to overwork, which shortens its lifespan.

  • Changing Air Filters
  • Many homeowners neglect to change their air filters, which leads to many problems throughout the home. Forgetting this important maintenance task can lead to poor indoor air quality, an overworked system and an uncomfortable home. It’s vital to change your filters often. For months where your HVAC system is constantly running, you should never go more than thirty days without changing your filter.

    Fix Those Drafts

    Drafty windows are another huge culprit to high energy bills. That being said, you should periodically check the caulk line that holds your windows in place. If they appear cracked, dirty or weathered, then be sure to remove the damaged caulk and add a new application. For more savings, you could try to add an insulation film over your windows. This helps to save on utility bills and extends the life of your AC and heating systems.

    Examine the Roof

    The roof is another location that doesn’t get much attention from homeowners. However, by periodically checking your roof, you can notice damage early on before it becomes a more extreme, higher-priced repair. Be sure to inspect your roof for damaged, discolored or gravel-less shingles, and replace them if needed. This can help to prevent the need to replace the whole roof.

    About the Author
    Author

    Cheryl Szczarba

    Consistently a Top 5 Real Estate Agent in New Haven

    Top 2 Real Estate Agent for condos in New Haven

    2003 Rookie of the Year

      My background of 18 years in the engineering field (BSEE 1984, Northeastern University) is where I get my
    strong work ethic, organizational skills and discipline. 

      I am a committed full time professional who has an excellent rapport with my neighbors, clients and peers. 

      I look forward to helping you with your Real Estate needs!

    Seabury-Hill Realtors ranked #1 in sales and rentals in New Haven since 2016