As many homeowners already know, owning a home can be a never ending job. As a homeowner myself, it seems like I finish one repair job just in time to start another. But over the years, I have also found that regular home maintenance goes a long way in repair prevention. Following a regular maintenance schedule will only take a short time and can be spread out over the fall months. And it will save you time and money in the end.
Here are some tips I find helpful:
· Change your furnace filter. If you have forced-air heat, it is simple and inexpensive to change this filter. If not changed on a regular basis, the furnace can't push warm or cool air into your homes rooms. Having a clean filter will also cut down on your energy bills. Some filters can be reused once washed, but check your filters requirements before washing it to make sure it's reusable. Also, change filters again each season.
· Reseal windows. It's a good idea to reseal your windows every fall. Check windows for cracked or missing seal. The seal is a putty that seals a bond around the window frame. Begin with adding the putting in needed areas and gently press the new putty in place. Be sure to also use a flexible blade putty knife to smooth the putty and give it a flat look. If you plan to paint around the windows, let the putty dry for at least three weeks.
· Replace door weather stripping. Check the weather stripping on every exterior door of your home. If there is any stripping torn or missing, replace it. Weather stripping is easy to install and is inexpensive.
· Clean chimney. This is more of a safety issue. It is very important to have your chimney swept out once a year, and the fall is the best time to do it.
· Clean gutters. Toward the end of fall is a great time to clear the debris from your homes gutters. Clogged gutters can cause water damage, and that can be a very expensive repair that can easily be avoided. Clean them again at the end of spring.
· Replace smoke detector batteries. It's a good idea to replace your smoke detector batteries on a regular basis. Changing them at the beginning of each season will help you remember better. Even if your smoke detectors are hardwired to your home, you still need to replace the batteries on a regular basis in case of power outages.
Simple home maintenance like this can save you so much hassle when it comes to repairs. Winter begins December 21st, so you may want to get started now.
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