10 Important Home Care Reminders
Given the option, few of us would volunteer to spend a Sunday on a ladder pulling leaves out of a gutter. But when your home is your biggest investment, as it is for most Americans, maintaining it is a must. Home maintenance can feel like a daunting chore — particularly for a new homeowner who’s never seen a boiler up close, let alone drained one. But it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. A home operates with the seasons, coming to life in the spring and hunkering down for the winter. Follow this natural arc all year long, and keep on top of the small stuff, and your house will run like a well-oiled machine.
Keeping your home comfortable and safe is a priority. That is why we wanted to remind you of these simple, but important tasks.
Test Smoke Detectors (every month)
Vacuum Smoke Detectors (every 3 months)
Change Smoke Detector Batteries (every 6 months)
Change Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries (every 6 months)
Replace AC Unit Filters (every 6 months / more often for allergy sufferers)
Clean Gutters (every 6 months)
HVAC checkup and servicing (biannual). For Steam Heat: drain your boiler and clear out any accumulated sediment (annual)
Give your pipes a good once-over, checking under sinks to make sure there are no signs of leaks. Check faucets for drips and the flapper in the tank of your toilet to make sure it has not worn out. (every 6 months)
Clean your chimney have it inspected every spring, call a chimney sweep now and have it done before you start using your fireplace again. (annual)
Clothes dryers cause 2,900 fires a year. Lint is a major culprit, so have your dryer vent cleaned and inspected by an HVAC specialist (annual)
Set reminders for these tasks in your smartphone or calendar.
It only takes a few minutes to keep your home’s safety features in good working condition. Hopefully this information is useful to you and as always, keep me in mind if you or anyone you know needs reverse mortgage financing assistance.