It's that time of year again! Spring is in the air, and that means it's time to start thinking about annual home maintenance tasks. Many homeowners put these off because they seem like a lot of work, but if you take care of on an annual basis, your home will be safe, secure, and looking great for the rest of the year! In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most important annual home maintenance tasks that you need to do.
When it comes to taking care of your home, there are certain cycles you’ll go through throughout the year. In the spring, you’ll work on readying your yard for summer and give your home a deep clean. In winter, you’ll prepare your home for the cold by making sure it’s well-insulated and draft-free. And so on.
There are some jobs that are easy to forget about until they need doing, and by then it can be too late. Get ahead and take care of your home with these four things you should do every year.
Make A Plan For Big Tasks That You Want To Accomplish This Year
One way to make sure that you take care of all the important things in your home is to make a plan for it. Sit down and think about what big tasks you want to accomplish this year. Maybe you want to repaint the living room, or maybe there are some cracks in the foundation that need repairing. Whatever it is, write it down and then break it into smaller steps so that you can actually achieve it. Having a plan will help keep you on track, and will ensure that nothing important falls through the cracks.
Check Your Smoke Detectors And Carbon Monoxide Detectors
It’s extremely important to have functioning smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Both of these devices can save your life in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide leak. Make sure to check the batteries in these detectors regularly, and replace them if they are starting to run low.
Inspect Your Roof And Chimney
Your roof and chimney are two of the most important parts of your home when it comes to safety. Make sure to inspect both of these areas on an annual basis, looking for any signs of damage or wear and tear. If you find anything wrong, have it fixed right away. A damaged roof or chimney can be a serious hazard.
Check Your Insurance Policy And Make Updates
Insurance is important for making sure your home is protected in the case of an accident or someone steals something from your property. But for your insurance to be effective, you need to look at it regularly to make sure you have enough coverage and that you’re not paying too much for it.
Review your policy annually and switch to another insurer if your policy no longer works for you. It’s also a great time to update your inventory, something that’s handy if you ever need an insurance adjuster. Keep your documents somewhere easy to access, and make online copies so that your information is always available in the cloud.
Inspect And Maintain Your Appliances
Regular maintenance can help keep your appliances in great shape, helping you identify any potential problems and get them fixed before it’s too late. Take time to inspect your key appliances, and book any necessary repairs. It can be a good opportunity for you to do things like clear out dryer vents, drain your water heater, and more.
Annual maintenance could save you money down the line, so don’t miss this out on your annual checklist.
Check Your Doors, Windows, And Places Where Pipes Enter Your Home
You can spend so long focusing on the inside of your home that you forget about the outside! Having a home maintenance list will help you work through everything that needs doing, including fixing your home’s exterior. From clearing out the guttering to touching up paintwork, those outside jobs will keep your home in great shape.
Trim Tree Branches And Prune Bushes That Are Too Close To Your Home
Tree branches can cause damage when they fall and roots can cause other damage directly to your foundation or even by disrupting concrete patios or potentially getting into your sewer and drainage systems.
Clean Out Gutters And Downspouts
It might be a good idea to check your gutters and downspouts more than once a year, but especially before it starts to snow, you should check to ensure that you don't have any clogged gutters and downspouts. If you do these could cause leaks or damage when they freeze and expand, resulting in water being forced into your home.
Clear Out All Extraneous Clutter You've Collected
Having an annual clear-out is an effective way of keeping on top of the clutter in your home. Focus on one space at a time, like the garage or the pantry, and be ruthless with what you need to get rid of. A thorough decluttering can be a great way of only keeping what you really need, freeing space up in your home, and making things easier to manage.
Making an annual task list can help you stay on top of your home and ensure everything’s working as it should. Some items may need to be spread out throughout the year or make sense to do by season. No matter how you choose to organize your checklist, remember to include the items above to help you keep your home in great shape.
