Keeping Up Home Maintenance

Without regular home maintenance, small problems can swell into expensive repairs and leave a home looking prematurely worn. Routine care ensures the beauty and durability of a home and protects the homeowner's investment for years after the home is built.

A maintenance checklist outlines the systems and components of the home that should be checked on an annual, semi-annual, monthly or weekly basis.

Annual

Check for separated and deteriorated caulk around the exterior of your home, such as between the siding and foundation, and around vents, outlets, pipes and faucets. If you don't check the caulking and reapply it on a consistent basis, moisture can work its way behind wood trim or siding and cause mildew or rotting.

Have your carpeting cleaned professionally at least once a year to remove deep-down dirt and stubborn stains.

Semi-Annual

Inspect the gutters and downspouts on your home for clogs at the start of spring and during the fall. Make sure the downspouts direct water away from a home's walls and foundation. Downspouts that pour water toward a home can cause water damage to the siding, the foundation and the basement.

Hire a professional to flush the air conditioning unit primary drain line. When algae or debris blocks this line, water will back up into the drain pan. This pan is very shallow and can overflow, potentially causing water damage to your home.

Monthly

Replace or clean the air conditioner filter monthly for maximum efficiency. Clogged filters can cause the heating and cooling unit to malfunction.

Clean the blades and exit areas of the garbage disposal by depositing several ice cubes into the disposal and running the unit to chop them up.

Weekly

Make sure to vacuum, sweep or dust mop floors once a week or more if needed.

Clean faucets according to the manufacturer's recommendations, since various types of finishes require different cleaning and maintenance methods. Don't use industrial, abrasive or tile cleaners to clean faucets. Don't use any pads or sponges that are unsafe for polished metallic surfaces. Most pads or sponges contain microscopic mineral particles that can scratch a faucet's finish. Prevent water spotting and mineral buildup by wiping faucets dry after each use.