Essential Tasks for Your Home Maintenance Check List

Unlike your car, your home doesn't come with a maintenance manual. Keeping your home in good shape means staying on top of the many things you need to do to protect its value and your family's safety.

A home maintenance checklist can get very long. But there are simple things you can do on a regular basis to avoid loss and preserve your investment. There are many things that can happen to a home. Even minor incidents can wind up costing thousands of dollars. Handyman Matters professional craftsmen have put together this list of items to do around your home to avoid costly repairs down the road.

Once a year

* Inspect your fireplace chimney. Do you see shiny black soot? It's called creosote and the excess build-up can cause a chimney fire. You'll want a professional chimney sweep to come in and clean it at least once a year.

* Dust heating registers, vents, radiators and smoke alarms. A good vacuuming will get rid of airborne dust and improve airflow on heating units, and will ensure that smoke alarms work properly.

Once a month

* Look for leaks. Check your hot water heater for rust stains or water on, around or under it. This could mean a valve is leaking and a plumber should be called to replace it, or could also signal the entire unit should be replaced. Don’t forget to take a look at your dishwasher and toilets, as well. Leaks over long periods of time can damage floors and lead to expensive repairs.

* Test smoke alarms. Press the test buttons to make sure the alarm is working.

Once each spring and fall

* De-gunk your gutters. To prevent overflow and decay, remove leaves and other debris from gutters, and clean the screens that lead to the downspouts. Check the gutter joints for cracks.

* Examine the roof for leaks. Take a look at places where items protrude from the roof - such as a chimney, sky light or vent pipes - and see if shingles are loose or broken. Inspect the interior ceiling at those same places for water stains.

And one simple maintenance tip that can fit into anyone's busy schedule; once a year, you should "exercise" your home's circuit breakers. Open and close each breaker to prevent it from sticking. This will help keep the breakers moving easily, and it takes about 10 seconds.

Taking care of your home can seem like a big chore, but it pays off if you follow the above tips. Catching problems early can save you money in the long run. Call Handyman Matters to take care of all of your home maintenance and that will ensure your home is properly taken care of year round. Click here to find a location near you.

Courtesy of ARAcontent