Annual Home Maintenance Tips
Depending on the age of your home, you will probably end up spending one to three percent of your home’s total worth on repairs and maintenance in the course of a year. You should also budget for the necessary replacement of major systems, such as heating, in order to be prepared ahead of time. Here are some essential points to consider in maintaining your home, keeping expenses at a minimum and avoiding costly repairs down the road.
Foundation
About twice a year, check the foundation for expanding dampness, cracks and movement. Note that a minor crack could cost from $400 to $800 to repair, but if you decide to ignore the problem and the crack widens, replacing the foundation wall itself could be far more expensive—costing you $10,000 or more.
Downspouts and Gutters
Each fall before winter sets in it’s a good idea to clean your downspouts and gutters, removing all dead leaves and other debris to allow the water to circulate freely. If you don’t do this, condensation may build up, possibly weakening the foundation and providing a receptive environment for pests and molds. Maintaining your downspouts and gutters properly will help prevent your basement from flooding, ward off the formation of ice on your deck or porch, and keep away stains on your siding.
Windows and Doors
To avoid drafts or heat loss in the winter or heat entry in the summer, make sure that all windows and external doors close properly and securely. Apply weather stripping if you discover any gaps. If you find that your window frames or doorsills are severely damaged, you may need to replace them to avoid future problems.
Chimney
To dislodge the buildup of creosote (a black, flammable substance) in your chimney and reduce the risk of a fire, have your chimney cleaned professionally every year. Be sure to examine the flue for corrosion or looseness, and look for any signs of cracked mortar at the same time.
Furnace
To avoid problems in the cold months ahead, have your furnace cleaned and checked by a professional before you turn on the heat in the fall. Also, remember to change your furnace filter regularly. Do this even in the summer if you have central air conditioning.
Air Conditioning
To best maintain your air conditioning, replace the filters each month when it is in use, and have central air conditioning checked annually as well.
Smoke Detectors
Twice a year (perhaps when we switch to daylight saving time in the spring, or return to standard time in the fall), replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors to keep them in good working order.
Roof
To maintain you roof, check for water stains on the rafters or signs of moisture in the basement. At the same time, examine the shingles for looseness or lifting, and re-attach those that need it. As a rule, the thicker a shingle is, the longer it will last.
Exterior Paint
Blistering, fading, scaling and cracking are signs that the exterior paint on your home needs your attention. To keep up its appearance and prevent major damage from the variations of the weather, annual minor touch-ups are recommended, focusing on the areas of greatest exposure to the elements.