TABLE OF CONTENTS: What is Life Insurance? Why Life Insurance Matters in Your 20s-40s Locking in Lower Rates Protecting Your Loved Ones Covering Final Expenses Tax-Free Payouts The Cost of Life Insura...
Home Maintenance & Renovation
|
3 min read
Do you remember how excited you were when you first purchased your home? The paint was fresh, everything was in tip-top shape, and home maintenance tasks hadn’t started to pile up, yet. Of course, lived-in homes have a different kind of appeal, with scuffed floors telling of an active family and marks on a kitchen doorframe showing growing children.
As time passes, your house becomes home to happy memories, but it also accumulates everyday wear and tear. In this blog post, we’ll give you some home maintenance hacks you can use to extend the life of your home’s interior, exterior, and appliances.
Exterior
The exterior of your home is subject to weather and other elements that can wear it down over time. Consider these hacks for taking care of your home’s exterior:
1. Clean out gutters.
Clear gutters of dirt, debris, and leaves that can cause a backup of rainwater. As water accumulates on the roof, it increases the risk of structural water damage to your property. Consider replacing gutters that are worn or damaged to better protect your home's overall structure.
2. Maintain windows and screens.
Washing your home’s windows, screens, and sills will make for a brighter, more pleasing home environment. Replacing old, outdated windows, when needed, will improve your home’s security and add to its property value.
3. Pressure wash your driveway.
Pressure washing enables fast, efficient, and pinpoint cleaning using high-speed water spray. It’s affordable and environmentally friendly—not to mention easy to use.
Related Reading: 5 Cost-Effective Ways to Update Your Driveway
Interior
Taking care of the interior of your home not only makes for a pleasant experience—it also helps ensure the safety of your home and family.
4. Replace faulty wiring.
Loose connections, damaged electrical outlets, and faulty wiring can become serious fire hazards if they go overlooked. It’s not uncommon to have outdated electrical work in your home, but if damaged, it can cause electricity to arc and spark, leading to a potentially devastating fire.
5. Clean the chimney and fireplace.
Fireplaces that are used regularly should have an annual cleaning at the beginning of the season to prevent dangerous chimney fires. Make sure to test your fireplace flue for a tight seal when closed.
6. Deep clean your space.
-
Bedrooms can be the household hub of indoor irritants. Mattresses, sheets, and pillows are magnets for invisible allergens, such as dust mites. Remember to wash all bedding weekly, in hot water.
-
Steam clean rugs and carpets to remove dust, debris, and stains. Professional carpet cleaning on an annual- or semi-annual basis will make your carpet look and feel like new and extend its lifespan.
-
Removing dust, dirt, and cobwebs from fans, furniture, and lights will make for a more hygienic home environment.
Appliances
Deep cleaning appliances will improve their function and help extend their lifespan.
7. Clean the garbage disposal.
Garbage disposals should be cleaned and checked routinely. Monthly maintenance of your disposal, if nothing more, can prevent a stinky situation in the future. To clean your garbage disposal effectively:
-
Empty a tray of ice cubes into the sink, and push down the drain.
-
Turn on the disposal (once hands and utensils are clear of the area), and allow the ice cubes to grind to a slushy mixture.
-
Rinse with a light stream of cold water. The grinding of the ice helps to sharpen the blades of the disposal and removes accumulated food waste.
8. Drain your hot water heater.
As time passes, your hot water heater can accumulate a mineral buildup of calcium and lime. This causes hard water, which can cause the heating element to work less efficiently. To cut down on mineral buildup and reduce hard water, drain your hot water tank completely once or twice per year.
9. Run your dishwasher through a vinegar cleaning cycle.
To deep clean your dishwasher, place a glass filled with two cups of vinegar in the top rack, then run it on the regular cycle. It won’t smell great, but this will remove residue and help your dishwasher run more effectively.
Taking care of your home with regular maintenance will help ensure that it stays in prime condition. Whether you are looking to increase the value of your home over time, sell in the near future, or simply want to make sure your home and family are safe, we hope these home maintenance hacks help!
Let Us Know What You Thought about this Post.
Put your Comment Below.