By Megan Belnap
Your home is one of your most important investments, so it's important to take care of it. Just like you should go to a doctor regularly for a checkup, here are some tips on what parts of your home you should check up on regularly to keep it in top shape. By following these simple guidelines, you can be sure that your home will stay looking great for years to come.
Inspect your roof and gutters for any leaks or blockages
Inspecting your roof and gutters is an important component of home upkeep! Not only do they protect the integrity of your house, but they also keep water from seeping into other parts of your property. Neglecting to inspect these areas regularly can be catastrophic since any small leaks or blockages can cause long-term damage to foundations and landscaping. So make sure to check them out every season and contact a professional if anything needs repair—in the end, it’s worth the minor effort as you’ll be safeguarding your property for many years to come.
Test all the smoke detectors and CO2 sensors in your home and change the batteries if necessary
The safety of your home should be a top priority. That's why it's essential to check all the smoke detectors in your home regularly. Not only do you need to make sure they are functioning properly, but also that their batteries have been changed when necessary. This way, you are ensuring the best protection for yourself and your family in case an unexpected fire or gas leak were to occur. Taking this precaution will give you peace of mind, so don't forget to double-check those sensors soon.
Check your home's exterior for any cracks or damage that needs to be repaired
It's important to check your home's exterior frequently, as small cracks and damages over time can snowball into bigger problems that require costly repairs. Be sure to look around the outside of your home every few months, especially in areas such as walls or window frames that can be more vulnerable than other parts. Additionally, checking for external problems such as loose shingles or broken pipes can make a big difference in the longevity of your home. Finally, making sure that your home is stable and not in need of foundation crack repair is crucial, as it can cause your home some serious issues if left broken. Keeping up with these tasks is key to avoiding any dangerous issues down the line.
Flush all the toilets in your home to check for proper drainage
Checking your toilets on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do to keep your home running fluidly. Flushing them at least once a month is a great way of ensuring that they not only work properly but also that there’s no clogging or poor drainage. This is an important step to take if you want to keep your plumbing system in top shape and make sure nothing damaged goes unnoticed for too long. Not only does flushing regularly protect your pipes from potential damage, but it also shows you if any changes need to be made to the water pressure in each toilet.
Run all the faucets in your home to check for any leaks
Running your faucets regularly is an easy way to check for any minor plumbing issues that could, if left unchecked, become major problems down the road. You may want to do a quick check whenever you remember and all it takes is a few minutes per house - run each one and leave them on for a few seconds, doing a visual inspection of the pipelines at each outlet. If you hear any strange noises or detect any mysterious odors coming from your pipes then it's time to call in the professionals. Furthermore, running water through pipes will help flush away any buildup. Regularly taking care of this task can help save money by avoiding expensive replacements in the long run.
Check the expiration dates on all of your fire extinguishers and replace them if necessary
Checking the expiration dates on all of your fire extinguishers should be part of your regular home maintenance routine. These important pieces of equipment can help douse a fire in case of an emergency, so it’s essential to make sure that your fire extinguishers are up to date. Do a sweep of your house every few months and check the dates on each fire extinguisher—if it looks like their lifespan has expired, you should replace them with new ones. If you need assistance selecting the right kind for your home, reach out to a local expert for advice!
In conclusion, it is important to regularly inspect and maintain all the components of your home. Even if everything looks good on the surface, there can still be underlying issues that must be addressed. Checking your exterior, roof, gutters, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, as well as running all the faucets in your home and flushing toilets will help significantly reduce potential problems down the line. Don’t delay these regular inspections—a few minutes spent now can save you thousands later!
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being outdoors and researching new topics that help to expand her horizons.