When building a home or buying a new apartment, the cost of down payment, mortgage rate, and other related fees is the first thing that comes to mind. But, don’t let yourself forget that these are not yet the entire financial responsibility here. One of the things you might be missing out is what comes next when the construction or sale is done.
A house is something that can stand the test of time, depending on how it is built and what type of materials it is made of. But, let’s be honest. Even the most durable of houses have a breaking point. Even the latest upgrade of house features turn outdated after a smarter version comes out. If not maintained well, nothing stays the same including your newly-constructed house. With that said, a good rule of thumb after building or buying a home is to set aside a budget for future home repairs and maintenance.
Here’s how to keep up with some regular home maintenance tasks and when to seek a handyman.
Table of Contents
For Monthly Maintenance
Make it a habit to inspect the entire house month by month. Here are special items at home that require special attention:
- HVAC Filters – Your HVAC filter is a key player when it comes to providing your home with comfort and keeping indoor air quality. While most experts will advise everyone to change their filters every month, this maintenance strategy is not always necessary. Changing the filters for every couple of months or more is ideal for smaller families with not pets and allergies. Otherwise, change your filters every month, especially when it is regularly used and accumulates dust buildup. You can always contact a local handyman if it’s your first time cleaning the filters of your HVAC system.
- Kitchen Sink Disposal – The kitchen sink disposal is probably the last thing we want to clean at home. Aside from it stinks when it gets full, we just really hate cleaning it. However, failure to maintain your garbage disposal can put your piping system at risk. While Google is an open book for cleaning solutions, you might want to try the easiest cleaning solution with vinegar ice cubes. Run the vinegar ice cubes through the disposal to freshen and sharpen its blades.
- Faucet Aerators and Showerheads – Remove the mineral deposits to avoid dirt buildup and water contamination.
For Quarterly Maintenance
Reserve each quarter of the year for testing some home features that are less likely (or rarely) used including:
- Smoke Detector – This item should have a test button feature. Run some tests to check if it is working. There must be no issues if the alarm sounds. Otherwise, you need to change its batteries and try again.
- Faucets and toilet Flush – This applies to unused spaces at home such as guest bathrooms and other rarely used areas. Run through water in the unused faucets and flush unused toilets to prevent grime and rust buildup.
- Fire Extinguishers – Testing does not necessarily apply to this, just make sure the gauge shows adequate pressure and that there is no sign of weathering.
For Annual Maintenance
You can expect more repairs in the years to come. Make sure to keep an eye on the following parts of the house to prevent wear and tear and costly repairs or worse, replacements.
- Plumbing System – Visit all your faucets and toilets and inspect leaks on your plumbing system. Fix the aerator if you experience poor water pressure.
- Roofing – If you find damage, paint chipping, or leaks from your roof, repair immediately. Contact your local project home builders to address the problem before the damage gets worse.
- Electric Lines – Have the trees and shrub around your house trimmed to avoid interference with electric lines. Check all your outlets but be very careful when working with electricity, especially after a rainy or a winter season.
- Bathroom and Kitchen Grout – Reapply grouts in between your bathroom and kitchen tiles if you find them wearing out. Maintaining the grout can prolong the life of your tiled surfaces.
- Door and Window Locks – For your home security, always inspect all the locks and deadbolts of your doors and windows. Check knobs to see if screws are tightened or if anything does not work out.
