Maintenance Tasks You Should Never Skip at Your Home
As a homeowner, it can seem like your to-do list is never-ending. There are numerous tasks that need to be completed around your home to help keep it in tip-top condition. When many of these tasks are overlooked or skipped, it may cause even more severe and expensive problems down the road. Here are several home maintenance tasks you should complete on your California home to keep it in excellent condition.
1. Cleaning Your Gutters
Cleaning your gutters should be a task on your to-do list several times a year. But unfortunately, many homeowners overlook this task or just wish to skip it altogether. Your gutters can collect a lot of debris and garbage throughout the year. Branches, leaves, and animal droppings are among these items and if they are not cleaned regularly, they will clog. When this happens, the water does not disperse from the house as it should, causing it to flow all over your roof and down the exterior walls. If not taken care of promptly, this excess water flow can cause severe water damage.
2. Window Repair
The natural lighting in your Los Angeles home can boost your mood and energy levels. It can also make a home appear bright and more welcoming. Plus, it will reduce the need to use artificial lighting, helping reduce your energy costs. However, to truly reap the benefits of your windows, you need to ensure they are in excellent condition. This means you need to regularly inspect these products for cracks, chips, or holes in the seal around them. You also want to replace older products with newer, more energy-efficient models. When the windows are old and in poor shape, you can lose a significant amount of energy from your home which makes your heating and cooling systems work harder.
Additionally, if you have skylights throughout your home, these items should also never be overlooked. A skylight replacement may be necessary, particularly if they haven’t been maintained or cared for in some time. This will not only decrease the cool air that escapes from the home, but it will also make these items more aesthetically appealing.
3. Clean Refrigerator Coils
When was the last time you cleaned the inside of your refrigerator? You likely have cleaned your refrigerator recently. If not you will notice a distinct smell each time you open or even walk by the fridge. However, the interior of your fridge is not the only thing that needs to be cleaned. You should also spend time cleaning the coils.
The coils are located either on the bottom of your fridge or behind it. Over time, these items become covered with dust, dirt, and debris, which makes the fridge work harder. This will cause you to use more energy, increasing your monthly utility bill.
To clean the coils on your refrigerator, you will want to wipe down the coils or vacuum the dust from off of them. You may also want to use a small brush to help wipe down the coils. This is a task that will not take much time to complete and should be done at least once a year, if not more often.
4. Clean Your Dryer Vents
If you have a dryer inside your home, you will want to clean the dryer vents regularly. This is because lint and other debris will become clogged, increasing your risk for a house fire. Additionally, the clogged vents will make the dryer consume more energy to properly function. This will cost you more energy each time you use the appliance and you may notice the difference in your utility bills.
To clean your dryer vents, start by unhooking the dryer from the wall. Second, take a small vacuum and suck up as much of the lint as possible from the dryer hose. There are long brushes you can purchase to help push out the lint and deep clean the vent. You will want to complete this task every three to six months.
5. Check Your Smoke Detectors
Many homeowners may wait to hear the chirping sound of the smoke detectors before they think about replacing the batteries. Unfortunately, this may be too late. You want to check the batteries in your smoke detector at least once a month to ensure these items are working properly. It is a chore that can be done in just a few minutes and requires very little work.
If you notice that your smoke detectors are not working properly, you will want to replace the batteries and check once again. If your smoke detectors haven’t been replaced for several years, you may need to replace the entire product. You also want to vacuum the detectors every few months to remove some of the dust that could cover the sensors and prevent the smoke detector from working properly.
6. Inspect Your Roof
Over time, the weather, animals, and other items can cause damage to your roof. Shingles may become lost or fall off, they may also crack or chip. If this is not taken care of, it can lead to water leaks inside your home, cause further damage to your roof, and even affect the temperature of your home. To prevent this from happening, you should have an inspection done on your roof at least once a year. If you have previous roofing experience, you may complete this task on your own. However, if you are not familiar with this home maintenance tasks, it is in your best interest to hire a professional to help you.
By completing the above six home maintenance tasks, you will find that your home is in much better condition for years to come. For more information on how to improve your home and make it more energy efficient, visit our website. To receive assistance over the phone, reach out to one of our three service locations below.
San Diego: 619-319-9426
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Los Angeles: 323-886-2271