There are many, many (many!) things you need to think about when you’re a homeowner, and you’ll certainly have a list of priorities, but because you’ll also have to do other things, like work, take care of your family, do your hobbies, and try to have at least a bit of a work-life balance, some of the things you need to do, no matter how important they might be, can slip off your radar after a while, especially when you get used to the status quo. However, it’s important to note that investing a little time and attention in these things, and specifically in regular home maintenance, can really pay off in the end. With that in mind, here are some ways that regular home maintenance can save you money long-term.
Check Your Gutters Regularly
Gutters are a hugely important part of your home and so they should be a hugely important part of your home maintenance as well – they’re your first line of defense against water damage (they work by channeling the water away from your roof and walls, keeping the structure of your home safer), and if you ignore them and don’t check them on a regular basis, all kinds of problems could occur as a result.
The fact is that clogged or broken gutters can lead to roof leaks, water pooling around your foundations, or even structural damage, not to mention the mold and damp that you’ll get inside your home, so making sure they’re free and clear makes a lot of sense. If you can’t do the job yourself, make sure you hire professional gutter services once or twice a year (twice is better) to clean them out and make sure they’re doing their job – it’s going to help massively in the long run.
Seal Cracks And Gaps
Small cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and walls might seem harmless, but they can be a real issue when it comes to your energy bills – you’re literally allowing warm or cool air (depending on the time of year and what your HVAC system is doing at the time) to escape, so your appliances have to work even harder to keep your home comfortable, and that’s going to cost you money (and it’s not great for the environment either).
If you take the time to test each window and door for drafts and then use caulk to seal up any cracks and gaps, this quick, easy, and cheap job can save you a lot of problems and a lot of money – plus, you’ll be more comfortable in your home, which is never a bad thing.
Repaint Exterior Surfaces
There are plenty of things you’ll need to do around your home, and some might be quite obvious, but one that can often be forgotten about is refreshing your home’s exterior with a fresh coat of paint. Yes, you see your home every time you leave it and come home again, but the old saying of ‘out of sight, out of mind’ usually means you don’t really think about it in more in-depth terms, and its condition might never come into your head.
However, maintaining your home’s exterior doesn’t just improve its curb appeal; it’s also a handy protective layer against moisture, pests, and weather damage, so it’s a great thing to do. Repainting your home on a regular basis, plus repainting other things like your fences and decking, can keep things look good and also shield your assets against harm.
