Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

Are you considering buying a new home? Have you already bought a new home, and are now wondering what you should do next? There’s no doubt you’ve heard that buying a home is the biggest investment you are ever going to make. What you probably aren’t told is how to care for your new investment, and what to look for at the beginning that will prepare you for anything that happens down the road. 

As a new homeowner, there are a lot of little things you’ll want to do to make sure there are no issues with your brand new home. Here are a few maintenance tips and tricks that are sure to help out any new homeowner. 

1. Fix Your Dead Outlets

Check all the power outlets in your home annually, checking both the outlet and the power source. If you find that any of your outlets are dead or the source itself is iffy, make sure to call a trusty electrician to get them fixed. 

2. Change The Direction Of Your Ceiling Fans

If you care about energy efficiency, you should change the rotating direction of your ceiling fans twice a year. This puts less strain on your heating and cooling systems. In the summer, make sure your fans are rotating counterclockwise, pushing the cold air down. You can simply flip the directional switch near the motor on most fans, but if your fans are older, you may consider replacements. 

3. Check Your HVAC Filters

Your HVAC filters are a super important part of your entire heating and cooling system, and they function best at preventing dust and debris from getting into your home. You should change them regularly, either yourself or by hiring experienced HVAC technicians who can handle the job.

4. Caulk Your Windows

A good way to help you cut down on heating and cooling bills is by caulking around your windows to prevent air leaks. Caulk is relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at your local home care store.

5. Check On Your Weather Stripping

You can make sure you have adequate weather stripping around your doors and windows, similar to caulking them to maintain your utility bills and heating/cooling. Weather-stripping is another relatively cheap buy at your local store touch-up and is also easy to install yourself.

6. Check Your Crawl Space For Any Moisture

Moisture in your crawl space is bad news for your entire home, as it can cause troubles like mold, deterioration, leaking, flooding, and more. You can vent your crawl space, buy a dehumidifier, or make sure it is fully sealed. You may have to install a drainage system, which could take professional help. While it may be frustrating to discover dampness in your crawl space, if you discover it early on in your homeownership you can resolve it and not have to deal with expensive, costly issues down the road.

7. Seal (or Reseal) Your Deck

Your deck, especially if it’s brand new, should serve you and your family for a long time. In order to make sure that happens you should check the deck sealant and make sure no moisture is getting into the wood. If the sealant is not doing its job or you just want to be safe, you should consider resealing your deck. You can buy sealant at your local store and tackle the weekend project yourself.

8. Tackling Some Exterior Paint Touch Ups

Your home’s paint job is a lot more than curb appeal, it’s also a moisture barrier that maintains the health of your home. If you notice any peeling or chipping on the exterior paint, consider giving it a touch-up as soon as possible. You can also pressure wash your home before repainting it, removing any additional paint peels, and maintaining a beautiful, healthy coat.

9. Clean Those Gutters

Your gutters function by directing water away from your home, roof, and foundation. They’re an additional step in keeping your home safely moisture-free. If you live in an area where lots of leaves and debris are gunking up your gutters, consider marching up there with your ladder and removing any occlusion yourself. 

10. Seal Your Driveway

In the winter and summer months, the ground around your home will expand and contract, the freezing and thawing of the seasons affecting your pavement and driveway. Any cracks in your driveway will give weeds an opportunity to take root and worsen the issue, eventually destroying your pavement entirely. When you seal your driveway you can stop the weeds before they start. You can purchase asphalt filler sealer at your local home goods store.