New Home | Home Maintenance Tips

Homeowner Tips | Home Safety Tips | Home Maintenance Tips
Mold Control Tips | Home Insurance Tips

To protect your investment in your home, it’s important to perform regular maintenance. The following tips not only help you to prevent costly repairs in the future, but can also make your home more efficient, saving you money on your monthly utility bills.

Perform annual inspections of the exterior of your home - Check the foundation for cracking. Check the weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows, and check for cracks and holes in the siding. Check the paint for peeling, cracking, fading or blistering. Trim shrubs and trees so they clear the foundation, exterior walls, and roof. Drain and shut off your outside faucets before winter. Clean gutters and downspouts in the fall and spring. Clean leaves and mulch from under porches and decks, and pull mulch away from foundation walls.

Perform annual checks for water or moisture in the crawl space - Also check for water leaks in the basement or in the attic.

Water Heater Maintenance - Drain a gallon or two from your hot water heater at least twice a year to extend its life expectancy.

Fireplace Maintenance - Have your chimney cleaned each year before using the fireplace.

Heating/Cooling Maintenance - Check the filters on your heating/cooling unit once a month and change or clean on the recommended schedule. Have the unit serviced annually.

Plumbing Maintenance - Check faucets for drips and the rest of the plumbing for leaks once a month.

Ventalation Maintenance - Check your dryer vent and stove hood monthly and clean them as needed.

Tile Maintenance - Inspect and repair tile grout in bathrooms and kitchen annually.

Smoke Alarm Maintenance - Change the batteries in your smoke alarm twice a year.

Know where the shut off is - Make sure that you know where the main cut-off valves or switches are for the plumbing, electrical and gas systems.