Those who have never owned a home before do not realize that it takes work. We all have hopes that we will only require maintenance every once in a while, but the truth is that things constantly need repairs and improvements. Even if you just want to keep your home in its current condition or avoid total restoration, you will need to regularly deal with issues.
If you put off regular maintenance, your home will eventually become run down. At this point, repairs will be costly, both in money and time.
The good news is that it is not too difficult to take good care of your home, and you don’t need to be a professional engineer. Here are 5 ways to keep your home in great shape like an engineer.
1. Clean, clean, clean
Many new homeowners are unaware just how important cleaning is. There is a perception that, if you are not too bothered by a bit of clutter and dust, only occasional cleaning is necessary. Unfortunately, this leads to major problems down the line.
Doing a thorough cleaning on a regular basis does more than just keep your house looking and smelling good. It ensures that moist corners do not damage the paint and floors. That the shower doesn’t grow mold and rust. That door hinges continue to work properly and that paint jobs don’t become an eyesore.
You also ensure that when you do clean, the job is not so big as to be exhausting and demoralizing.
2. Service your HVAC
Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) are incredibly important for your comfort. This is enough of a reason to regularly service them. However, the importance of servicing HVAC goes beyond comfort. The AC will begin to leak the contents of its filter over time, ruining walls and any furniture beneath it. Unserviced heating can lead to fire hazards. And all unserviced HVAC equipment will start to degrade the air quality rather than improving it.
3. Take lightning protection seriously
People who live in areas where thunderstorms are rare often put off taking measures to protect their home from lightning. This can be a major mistake that you will live to regret. You don’t need to be in constant danger of thunderstorms for one lightning strike to destroy every electrical outlet in your home. Without proper lightning protection, you are at danger of not only losing your property but your life as well.
4. Regularly check insulation
Insulation is another aspect of your home that is incredibly important for comfort, health, and home maintenance. When insulation fails, cold or hot air enters your home and can cause steady damage over time. This will affect your walls and floors, furniture, and any vulnerable electrical appliances.
5. Leave the big stuff to the pros
Finally, it is important that you know when to bring in the pros. Electrical faults account for most house fires in the US. Don’t risk getting the big stuff wrong. Bring in professional electrical engineers and plumbers to see to major problems.
You can prepare for these matters by getting a home warranty, from a company like American Home Shield, for example. These warranties cover regular maintenance as well as major problems, so that you don’t have to worry about saving up in case of emergency.
Don’t let home maintenance get away from you. Take care of it regularly and you won’t have to spend big on major repairs down the line.