Home Maintenance Tasks You're Probably Forgetting to Do
Every homeowner wants to protect their home and properly care for their investment. To do this, you need to keep up on regular and seasonal maintenance tasks.
Here are 5 home maintenance tasks that most people forget to do on a regular basis.
1. Clean Your Dryer Vent Duct
Lint build-up in dryer vent ductwork is a leading cause of house fires, and that’s why you need to clean out your dryer vent’s ductwork every six months. Even if a blocked duct doesn’t burn your house down, it can extend drying times and increase your energy cost.
2. Test Your Smoke Alarms
Nothing is more important to your family’s safety than your home’s smoke detectors and fire alarms. These devices alert you and your family where there is dangerous smoke or fire, giving you enough time to safely evacuate. But you’ll need to routinely check your smoke detectors to make sure they are working.
3. Dust Your Refrigerator Condenser Coils
Behind your fridge, there is likely an accumulation of dust, the likes of which you haven’t seen. Most homeowners forget about this simple task, but that is a mistake. Clogged condenser coils, not only add unnecessary wear and tear to your refrigerator, making you more likely to need a replacement sooner, they also work less efficiently. This means your fridge will use more energy to stay cool, shortening its life span and driving up your energy costs.
4. Flush Your Water Heater
Have you flushed your water heater lately? Flushing your water heater prevents mineral sediment that can build up inside the tank. This boring but important chore should be done at least once a year. The task is easy to blow off because it's out of sight—but skipping it is costing you a lot. Sediment buildup reduces the heating efficiency of your water heater.
5. Change Your HVAC Filters
Have your heating system inspected, serviced and cleaned annually. Proper maintenance can extend the life of your furnace, postponing an expensive replacement. Air filters are only meant to last for a set amount of time and need to be changed seasonally. Changing the air filter on a regular basis can improve your indoor air quality, extend furnace life, and reduce energy bills.
Mastering home maintenance tasks can be a chore, but at the same time they can help you save money, and you'll be able to rest easy knowing your home is much more protected.
