There are several seasonal maintenance jobs that can be done around the house as the weather changes. When maintaining a home, it is important to keep up with scheduled maintenance to ensure all the parts of the home function well. It is also a good idea to keep up with regular maintenance to avoid huge repairs down the line. In this article, we will review ten simple jobs that can be done by anyone who likes to tackle home maintenance.
Clean out Gutters
Cleaning your gutters twice a year, in the spring and fall, may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of entertaining DIY projects. Climb a ladder and manually clean the debris out of your gutters. To remove debris from downspouts, use a hose and a plumber’s snake.
Inspect the Roof
Gutter cleaning frequently appears on homeowners’ summer DIY to-do lists for another reason: it is the ideal opportunity to check your roof. Check for shingles that are missing, broken, or cracked. When cleaning out your gutters, keep an eye out for any grittier black residue that can indicate the need to replace your roof’s shingles.
Fix Leaking Faucets
An errant faucet can easily be repaired. Typically, all that needs to be done is swap out the rubber washer inside the faucet handle. Remove the leaky handle from the faucet, replace the washer, and turn off the water supply.
Fix a Leaking Toilet
Your water bill may increase as a result of a leaking toilet. By placing some food coloring in the tank and checking back in an hour or so to see if the color has leached out into the bowl, you can determine if your toilet is dripping from the tank to the bowl. Replace the flapper inside the tank if water is dripping into the bowl from the tank. But you’ll have to get a new toilet if the one you have is leaking around the base.
Inspect the Washing Machine and Dryer
One of the main causes of water damage is faulty supply and drain hoses for washing machines. If you see any corrosion, rust, or leakage around the metal ends of the lines, replace them right away. If not, replace them every three years. Moreover, make sure you clean the lint trap in your dryer after each usage. It poses a significant fire risk if material is left inside.
Check Fridge Door Seals
The seals on your refrigerator’s doors are in charge of maintaining the chilly temperature inside. As they break down, your refrigerator operates less effectively and might even last less time. Close the refrigerator door on a piece of paper to test the door seals. Your seals are effective if you are unable to remove it from the closed door. You may get new refrigerator door seals at any home improvement retailer if you need to replace your current ones.
Clean Fridge Coils
You should remove your refrigerator from the wall once a year and use a vacuum hose to remove the dust from the condenser coils. This increases the lifespan and efficiency of your refrigerator.
Check Window Seals
You should check the exterior of your windows each summer and replace any caulk that is missing. Using a sharp knife, remove any caulk that is cracked, dried, or otherwise damaged and replace it with a new bead. As a result, your home will be more comfortable and your energy expenditures will be lower. Your windows can be made more efficient and drafts can be further reduced by applying an insulating coating to them.
Replace HVAC Filter
It’s time to change your HVAC filter if you haven’t already. If someone lives in your home with allergies or asthma, or if you have pets, you should change your HVAC filters at least once every six months. Filter replacements on a regular basis maintain your indoor air clean and healthy while easing the load on your HVAC system.
Trim Vegetation Around the House
In addition to providing homes for birds, bees, and other tiny animals that are welcomed in many gardens, shrubs and trees that are growing around your house can give shade that can help keep your home cool in the summer. Yet, vegetation close to your siding can attract pests and cause water damage to the structure of your home. Trees that grow over your roof can also entice squirrels and other animals to enter your attic. Trees and shrubs should be pruned back from your home and kept away from your outdoor air conditioning equipment.
These are just a few tips that will help keep you home functioning well and potentially prevent costly malfunctions or damages in the future.
