Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
Every homeowner should be aware of their home’s most common problem areas since even a small problem can become a major one. Fortunately, there are several ways you can protect your home from major disasters and you don’t even have to be a trained handyman.
Here are a few things you can do to protect the inside and outside of your home this year.
Replace Filters and Insulate Pipes
The filter inside your air conditioning unit needs to be changed every few months. Clogged air filters are the cause of many respiratory problems and can end up costing you a lot in energy. Changing your filters will also reduce the amount of pollutants in your home.
Check your faucets for leaks and insulate your plumbing system. Avoid pouring grease down your drain since oil will cool and solidify inside your drain and water does not dilute the oil. Hot oil will turn solid in cool pipes, and your pipes can freeze in cold weather.
Replace Batteries and Fire Extinguishers
Replace the batteries in your smoke detector at least once a year. Your fire extinguisher should be replaced every five years, and it should be kept in an accessible location. You should also make sure everyone in your family knows where the fire extinguisher is located. As an additional precautionary measure, you can create a family escape plan. Everyone should be in agreement on the exit strategy and know where to meet in any emergency.
Inspect Your Foundations
Inspect walls for cracks and holes. Hairline cracks could mean there is a problem with your foundation. Your windows and doors should be weather stripped for the winter months, and be sure to inspect your home for pests. Termites can destroy the structure of your home in just a few months, and when termites eat away your foundation, mice and birds can enter your home. Wood should be stored several feet away from your home. Drain all water basins, and check for infestations after rainy weather.
Clean Your Gutters and Trim Bushes
Clean your gutters twice a year, and check your roof for holes. You might not notice water dripping until mold starts growing. Bushes should be trimmed every few months since shrubs near the exterior of your home can cause mold and mildew buildup.
When you safeguard your home from disasters, you will protect your home from interior and exterior damage. Most maintenance tasks can be completed in one day. Trying to complete several tasks in one day can be overwhelming and it only takes a few minutes to organize your list of tasks. Following a routine maintenance schedule will save you time and money.
About the author: Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information on getting good replacement parts for your home try Nationwide Boiler. You can contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
