A Guide to Maintaining Your Family Home

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If you're a first-time homeowner, you may not be prepared for the responsibilities involved in taking care of your new home. You can experience a major problem without any warning, and it's not uncommon for two things to go wrong at once. That's why finance experts recommend starting a savings account to cover these unexpected expenses. You can also reduce the risks of problems by taking steps to maintain your home in good condition.

Keep Your Swimming Pool Clean

If you have a swimming pool, you should hire a cleaning service to take care of it for you. They will test the chemicals and modify the filtration system to ensure your pool maintains a good pH balance. This ensures you can go swimming without the water causing skin reactions due to an abnormally high concentration of chemicals. You should also schedule routine pool heater service to keep the heater functioning well throughout the warm seasons. Be sure to keep an eye on the water level. A reduction in water could indicate a leak in the pool or a plumbing problem, so notify your pool service company of those changes immediately.

Protect Your Plumbing

The plumbing in your home can cause some inconvenient problems if you don't pay close attention to what goes into your drains. Whether you use municipal services or your own septic system, you should never deposit cigarette ashes, hair, cooking oils or grease, medication, or coffee grounds down the drains. These substances can cause clogs deep in your plumbing pipes that will require the expertise of a plumber. Another concern is your water heater. While there's not much you can do to protect it, you should be aware that the lifetime of a water heater ranges between six and 10 years. If you don't know how old your current water heater is, you should start budgeting for a new one.

Keep an Eye on Your Roof and Gutters

One of your biggest concerns in maintaining your home is to conduct regular roof maintenance. Even though a roof should last up to 15 years, that will depend on how well you care for your roof and the gutters. Watch for tree branches that are growing too close to your home. Trimming them will prevent branches from causing damage to your roof. Keeping branches away from your home will also make it more difficult for pests to gain access to your roof. You should clear tree branches, leaves, and other debris from your roof and gutters on a consistent basis. This will ensure rainwater flows efficiently away from your home. Additionally, a seasonal inspection conducted by your roofing contractor will identify any leaks, damaged flashing, or other roofing problems before they worsen.

Prevent Heating and Cooling Problems

Another part of your home that requires consistent preventative maintenance is the HVAC system. The heating and cooling system can last up to 10 years or longer if you take good care of it. In doing so, there are two things you should check regularly. First, you should clean or replace the air filter once a month. Otherwise, the filter will become clogged with dust, pollen, pet fur, and other contaminants. This will inhibit air flow, raising your energy costs and accelerating wear and tear on the system. Secondly, be sure the condenser unit, which is located outside the home, is kept clear of leaves, litter, and pests. Twice per year, you should also schedule a comprehensive HVAC inspection to identify problems that may be developing. The technician will also check your ducts, coolant levels, and other components of the system.

Pay Attention to Electrical Problems

Before you bought your home, one of the things your home inspection covered was the electrical wiring. If the inspector recommended new wiring, you should start budgeting for that expense immediately. Even if the wiring was deemed to be in fair condition, pay attention to your energy usage during your first few months in the home. If you frequently blow fuses or trip circuit breakers, this indicates you're drawing too much energy at one time. Your electrician can offer safe solutions to that problem. Additionally, call your electrician immediately if you notice scorched outlets, a burning odor, or flickering lights. These problems may indicate a wiring short or another serious problem.

Conclusion

In addition to following this guide, be sure to keep up with minor issues, such as a loose bathroom tile or a cracked window. If you let these things go for too long, they will pile up. It's easier, cheaper, and less stressful to keep up with smaller repairs as they become necessary.