Home maintenance is something that can benefit everyone. It can increase the value of your property and make it better to live in.
But what are the dos and don’ts when it comes to looking after your building? That’s what this guide runs through. We look at some of the things you absolutely want to do, and others you should avoid like the plague.
Do Maintain Your Home Maintenance Schedule
To start, it’s a good idea to maintain your home maintenance schedule throughout the year. Slacking or holding back is a bad idea because it can mean that problems get worse.
The best approach is to write down a calendar of tasks you need to complete. Breaking these down into monthly, seasonal, and yearly can be helpful for staying on top of everything.
For example, you’ll usually want to maintain your HVAC filters every month or so. However, cleaning out the gutters is a seasonal task.
Don’t Forget To Budget
Of course, maintaining a property isn’t cheap. That’s why it is so essential to budget properly. You want to make sure that you’re considering the financial aspects, too.
Usually, maintaining a home costs around 1 to 3% of its value annually, depending on the context of the systems you want to maintain. If you have a system boiler, a pool, an HVAC, and wired sound in every room, it can increase the price further.
Do Invest In Quality Materials
When maintaining your home, it is an excellent idea to invest in quality materials. You want options that will last.
For example, if you’re replacing roof tiles, put something that will stand the test of time in its place. Look for options that will transform the appearance of your property and protect it from moisture.
The same goes for siding or exterior fixtures. Find products that can deal with the environmental challenges in your area, whether that’s hail, pollution, wildfire smoke, high winds, or extreme UV.
Don’t DIY
Usually, it’s a bad idea to try to do maintenance jobs yourself. It rarely works out as you plan!
That’s why companies like Green Group Plumbing suggest going to professionals. Working with people who understand what they are doing reduces the risk of making mistakes that cost you a lot of money, especially in matters relating to pipework and electrics.
If you want to go down the DIY route, ensure you know what you’re doing first. Don’t take any chances.
Do Prioritize Preventative Strategies
You also want to prioritize preventative strategies where possible. These allow you to reduce costs later on, keeping your household budget in check.
An ounce of prevention, as they say, is worth a pound of cure, so replacing weatherstripping on doors and windows, and getting an engineer to come over and fix your HVAC should be something you do regularly. Don’t wait until the last minute.
If you can prevent problems from occurring before they become serious, you can often save a lot of money on your repair bills.
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