You've bought a new home and you're on the property ladder. It's a great time in your life, and now you can really start to settle down.

But you mustn't be complacent. You need to look after your property, and there is a lot that you should be doing to protect your investment.

Regular maintenance tasks are relatively easy, but they can make a big difference to your property and help you to avoid large repair bills.

Here are some of the most important regular checks you should be making.

Deep Clean Twice a Year

You should clean your house lightly every week throughout the year to keep it fresh. However, twice a year, go further and do a deep clean.

This should cover the entire house, and you should really get into every corner and dust every surface to prevent dirt from building up, which will create a healthier environment to live in.

Check for Signs of Damp

Damp can cause serious problems for any property. It often occurs in the walls and in the basement, so carry out a regular check once every few months.

You might want to clean the basement properly every year to get rid of mold but check for damp more regularly.

You could also consider upgrading your exterior waterproofing system for the basement to reduce problems. This can provide better water damage protection and prevent the need for costly repairs.

Clean the Gutters

Once a year, clean all your gutters to avoid blockages. The spring is a good time to do this after all the leaves have fallen. This helps to prevent water damage to your exterior.

Visually Inspect the Exterior

Twice a year, see if anything is going on outside your property. Walk around and take in all the details, and look for signs of chipping paint, brick damage, cracks, and anything else that's not right. Then fix them before they get worse.

Check the driveway for cracks, and re-seal them before winter. Freezing water expands and makes the cracks worse.

Inspect the Roof

Likewise, get up on the roof and check it for any signs of damage. Look for cracks that can cause leaks, and fix them. This is often a job for a professional. Do it once a year, and usually, the spring is the best time

Cut Back Trees

If you have trees in your yard, make sure you keep them away from your house and also from any electric lines. You might want to call in a tree removal professional once a year to cut them back.

Check for Insects and Pests

Always be on the lookout for signs of pest infestations. Summer is the worst month, so keep an eye out for rats, mice, spiders, ants, termites, and the rest.

If you see any signs, either get rid of them yourself or call in an animal removal company. This leads to a much healthier home environment, and pests can also cause serious damage.

Clean the Dryer Vent

Do this once every year or so. Leave the dryer running and check that the exhaust is coming out properly, and if it is not, search for blockages. Call in a professional if you need assistance.

Check the Water Heater Annually

A good water heater should last for years, but only if you check it over regularly. This is a specialist job, so call in a professional to take a look at it each year. You can also check the whole water system while you're at it.

Inspect the HVAC Filters

This is a regular task that you should do once every three months or so, or more frequently if you have pets or a large house. Simply check the filters and change them filter if they are dirty.

Test Your Smoke Alarms

This is something you should do at least every quarter. Make sure your smoke alarms are in full working order and check your carbon monoxide detectors too. It's usually a case of pressing a button and listening to the sound, but they are all different.

Replace the batteries regularly, every six months or so, and don't wait until the alarm starts reminding you with beeps because it's safer to replace them sooner.

Look After Your Home

These are some of the most important steps you should take to look after your home properly and keep it in better condition. Many problems in the home can become expensive to fix if you don't catch them soon enough. However, if you spot them early, they are often easy to deal with.

So it makes good sense to carry out these checks on your property throughout the year to avoid hefty repair bills and ensure your home is a healthy and safe environment for everyone who lives in it.