Just like the people who live inside it, your home is happiest when it’s healthy, which means it needs a good checkup now and again. Some parts of your home need to be examined throughout the year while others need seasonal maintenance. Consider some of these helpful hints when diagnosing your home’s health any time of year.
- Roof: Starting at the top and working your way to the bottom is one way to ensure your home is problem-free. Always be sure your roof is free of leaks by giving vents, skylights and chimneys a once over. Don’t let issues go untreated. The longer you wait, the more costly repairs can be.
- Gutters: Keep your gutters clog-free and remember to drain pipes away from the house. This chore is common on many checklists just as fall sets in, especially in colder climates.
- Refrigerator: Get your wallet or purse out before you check out your fridge. Take a dollar bill and shut it in your refrigerator door. If it slips out easily, it may be time to readjust the latch. You don’t want precious cool air to leak out, causing your food to spoil more rapidly and your wallet to grow increasingly slim as you replace pricey grocery items. When you are stocking up, remember a full fridge uses less energy than an empty one.
- Safety Equipment: There is no excuse for allowing safety equipment like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers to go unchecked. These devices might save your family and your home from a terrible tragedy. Be sure to test and replace batteries at least twice a year.
Check out these and other time-saving tips for keeping your home in tip-top shape.
