First Time Homebuyer? Here’s A Handy Guide To Home Maintenance
Congratulations – you just bought your first house, or you’re happily about to. Your to do list is likely to be exciting and, at the same time, overwhelming.
There’s the actual move, unpacking and figuring out what else needs to be purchased, planning and hosting your house-warming party, and getting used to mortgage payments. With so much to do and think about, home maintenance can easily be overlooked.
Routine home maintenance will not only enhance the look, comfort and safety of your home, but will also help you avoid many costly mistakes in the future and protect your investment.
Most of the home maintenance tasks won’t take too long to perform, plus, some of them will be easier to accomplish before you get too settled in. Now, as a busy new homeowner you may not want to put your time and efforts into tackling them, so a quick call to a trusted handyman will take care of it!
Whether your new home is a spacious house or a cozy cottage, here’s a handy guide to help you keep your home in great shape from day one:
- Check Your Doors, Windows and Garage Door
Inspect your doors, windows and garage door for any gaps and cracks. Also check all places where pipes and wires enter the structure of your home. Replace missing or broken weather-stripping and add caulk as needed. Taking these steps will help you keep the house insulated and ready for all seasons, and keep bugs and small creatures out.
- Check Your Furnace and HVAC Filters
You certainly don’t want any dust and grime left behind from the previous owners or construction crew! Clogged filters can trap harmful pollutants and allergens, and make your heating and cooling systems run less efficiently, leading to health issues, wasted energy and higher bills.
Check your furnace and HVAC filters, inspect them for dirt and grime, and replace them as needed. This should be done right after you move in and at least once a year afterward.
- Check Plumbing
Inspect all toilets, sinks (and under the basin of all the sinks), and faucets in your home for leaks or constant running.
Repair or replace any that are leaking, because you definitely want to prevent leaking of money, mold and other damages to your property.
- Clean Your Vents
Regularly clean the dryer vent (and the lint trap), as clogged dryer vents can be a fire hazard. They push air outside the property through a duct, but can get filled with lint.
Also clean around the vents and coils underneath and behind your refrigerator for maximum efficiency.
- Install Ceiling Fans
Install them in every room – they are a low-energy way to keep air moving in your home. This will also help with energy bill savings.
The most important thing to remember is that the air directly below the fan should be blowing down on you in the summer and should be pulled upwards away from you in the winter — so use the reversal switch to adjust the direction.
- Install LED Or CFL Light Bulbs
LED and CFL bulbs will last longer and can save you a lot of energy money in the long run. So replace all incandescent bulbs, and consider installing some in areas where the lights may be in use for long periods, such as the living room or kitchen, or left on accidentally, like hallways or basement. Opt for LED bulbs if possible, even though they are a bit more costly upfront, because they have better performance.
- Gutters
Check gutters as soon as you move in, and regularly from that point onwards, to make sure they’re properly attached and free from sticks, leaves, and debris. Also, make sure the water drains from the gutters away from your home to avoid damage to your foundation.
- Inspect For Mold, Radon, Pests Or Termites
These are things that can cause harm to people or property even if you can’t see them. For example, radon is a tasteless and odorless gas known to cause lung cancer; however, the only way to know if it’s present in your house is to test for it. Another serious issue is mold, found in old as well as modern homes, and there are about 50 species of mold that are toxic to humans and lead to respiratory problems and fungal infections.
It’s important to have your home inspected – you would be surprised how many properties host pests, critters and other unwanted guests, so hire a pest-control and termite expert.
Owning a home is a big investment and a big responsibility, and being a first time homeowner can be overwhelming – yet it’s crucial to identify key maintenance tasks and take care of important safety issues right away and prevent problems and future costs.
Rest assured our proficient and friendly team at Home One Services is here for you to resolve any home improvement and home maintenance tasks in Lancaster, PA – get in touch with an experienced handyman today.
