Tips to Help Protect Your Investment: Home Maintenance Tips [Infographic]

Your home is likely the largest investment you will make during your lifetime. Once you buy a home, maintaining it is essential. From repairing the roof to maintaining the air conditioning, taking care of small problems as they occur will save money in the long run. Here are some of the ways you can protect your investment.

Annual maintenance tips

Annual checkups are a good way to ensure your home is in the best shape. Check the roof for damaged or missing shingles, examine gutters, and make sure outside faucets are in good shape. All of these problems can cause leaks that will lead to more serious damage. The inside of the home, particularly the kitchen and bathroom, should be inspected for plumbing leaks.

Other areas of the home such as the foundation should be checked. If you have noticed problems with doors that do not want to close or cracks suddenly appearing over windows or doorways, this could mean the home has settled. It can also be a warning. Homes that are built on timber stumps are subject to termites and the stumps can deteriorate. This is why companies such as C. Daniels Foundations P/L offer restumping services.

The HVAC system should be checked at least twice a year. This will allow any problems with the heat or the air conditioning to be repaired before needing them. Homeowners can keep the filters changed on a regular basis, but the system should be serviced by a professional so it will provide the best performance.

Check the outside of the home for chipped paint or damaged siding. Repainting or repairing the siding not only helps keep the home looking good, but it maintains the value. If you decide to sell your home, this is one of the first things prospective buyers will notice. Inspect the windows while looking at the siding. Are the frames in good shape? Do the screens have holes?

Decks and patios should be checked for problems as well. If the patio is concrete, cracks can appear over time. The same thing can happen on driveways. Cracks should be sealed so that water cannot creep in and cause more damage, particularly in the winter when it can freeze and expand.

Check all the electrical outlets in your home to make sure they are working. Outlets and faulty wires are one of the major causes of fires. Make certain that GFCI outlets are working properly as well to prevent electrical shock.

If your home has a basement, this is one of the most over-looked areas when it comes to maintenance. They should be checked for leaks and mold. Even if it is just used for storage, inspecting for cracks is extremely important. This may indicate foundation problems. Look for signs that pests may be entering the home.

The garage is another area that should be included when doing a maintenance check. Doors should be tested to make sure they are working properly. Floors should be checked for cracks and they may need re-coating periodically. If there are windows, make certain they are in good shape and the locks work.

By keeping your home in good shape, it will remain as valuable an asset as it was when it was purchased. You can actually improve the value by keeping everything in good working order. Reached this point, you might think there are a lot of aspects to cover. However, taking care of your home shouldn’t be an ache. You can try hiring a well-known company forhome management in Los Angeles, Orlando, New York, or any other city you live in. All this will help you with the scheduling thing and spot every area that requires maintenance urgently.

General home maintenance tips to avoid big monthly bills