Think about your home relative to other items you may currently own like your car or even a bike. When you first purchased those things you knew that part of your responsibility was to maintain good upkeep if you wanted them to last. The same holds true with your home. There are several things that any homeowner needs to do to keep it in good working order. As my grandmother used to say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Change your furnace filters monthly. At Ace Hardware, my furnace filter costs less than $10. Many people say that changing your filter every 6-months but I advocate more often. It’s so simple and yet so critical to the proper working efficiency of your furnace and can stave off breakdowns for quite some time. If a brand new filter every month seems excessive, at least take some time to clean it often, especially in the summer when dust lurks everywhere.
Drain your water heater at least once a year. What… you mean I have to drain my water filter? Think of this like a giant Britta that lives in your heater and supplies your entire home. Sediment can fall to the bottom and negative impact the filter’s useful life. Drain it annually and keep it in clean working order.
Clean those coils. If your home has baseboard heating, there’s a ton of dirt and dust that can collect on those coils. Simply remove the outer casing and wipe them clean. This will also help alleviate that “burning” smell when your heaters first kick on.
Watch for drips. I’ve seen them lurking in many a home. Under the kitchen sink, in the bathroom, wherever. If you catch small drips while they are still small, you can avoid major problems later. Tighten pipe connections with a wrench and use a plunger or pipe snake to keep them clear of debris.
Change your furnace filters monthly. At Ace Hardware, my furnace filter costs less than $10. Many people say that changing your filter every 6-months but I advocate more often. It’s so simple and yet so critical to the proper working efficiency of your furnace and can stave off breakdowns for quite some time. If a brand new filter every month seems excessive, at least take some time to clean it often, especially in the summer when dust lurks everywhere.
Drain your water heater at least once a year. What… you mean I have to drain my water filter? Think of this like a giant Britta that lives in your heater and supplies your entire home. Sediment can fall to the bottom and negative impact the filter’s useful life. Drain it annually and keep it in clean working order.
Clean those coils. If your home has baseboard heating, there’s a ton of dirt and dust that can collect on those coils. Simply remove the outer casing and wipe them clean. This will also help alleviate that “burning” smell when your heaters first kick on.
Watch for drips. I’ve seen them lurking in many a home. Under the kitchen sink, in the bathroom, wherever. If you catch small drips while they are still small, you can avoid major problems later. Tighten pipe connections with a wrench and use a plunger or pipe snake to keep them clear of debris.
Regularly replace! As much of pain as we think it is, your home needs to see replacements periodically. I’m alluding to water heaters, furnaces, roof shingles and other key components. If you anticipate living in one place for the duration, concede to the fact that these things will need replacement over the years.
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