If you have had the delight of watching The Home Edit on Netflix or sat sorting your socks after watching Marie Kondo, then the chances are you’re getting into a home maintenance mode. It doesn’t matter if you own your home or if you are renting.
There are some things that you should be making sure that you are taking care of. Sometimes though, that is easier said than done.
Owning a home and making sure you take care of it all is a pretty big responsibility. However, with some of the right tools and a regular checklist of things you should be doing, everything becomes smooth sailing.
You’ll need to know how to clean your roof, how to replace the batteries in your smoke alarm, and even how to get rid of that pesky mold.
One of the critical things that you can do is to set up seasonal goals. Stick to these goals all year round, and you will avoid most of the significant repair costs. It is also imperative that you know your limitations and are when you should be hiring a professional.
Here are some of the things that you should be making a regular inspection of.
- White goods
- Plumbing
- Security systems
- Electrics
- Garden
- Exterior
- Guttering
For anything outside of your skill level, then just hire a professional, gutter cleaning service, window cleaners, and HVAC professionals.
Monthly
These monthly tasks can be done at any time throughout the year. You will quickly be able to tell if any repairs need to be done car, and this is much more effective than waiting for something to break, and it’s becoming an emergency repair job.
Here is a short, non-exhaustive list to help you get started. Depending on your type of home, you might need to add extras to it or take a different approach.
- Test all carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, and smoke alarms. You can often find a test button on the outer body that, when pressed, will sound the alarm.
- Run each of the taps inside and outside the home for a few seconds. Watch to see if there is any buildup of debris, and unplug anything where required. Outside faucets tend to have build up when they’re not often used over the fall and winter.
- The showerhead and some of the taps are most likely to have a little buildup of talc. White vinegar and bicarb of soda and bubble that off in no time. It is easier if this is done weekly, but monthly will do.
- Check all of the visible wires around the home for any signs of pests or tearing. These can sometimes be repaired with electrical tape, and other times will need to be replaced co.mpletely
- If you have a garbage disposal unit, clean it by throwing in some crushed ice cubes and then flush it with baking soda and hot water; this will remove any hard residue and stains, and the baking soda will fizz and remove any debris.
Some weeks and months will require more upkeep than others, certainly going from spring to summer will need a deep clean, and from autumn to winter, your home should be prepped to tackle the cold.
