When you talk to successful people about selling their homes quickly and for a good price, you will usually discover that their success resulted from forethought.
They may have been lucky to make as good of a deal as they did, but they likely spent a significant amount of time preparing for that lucky moment as well. Making a home appealing to buyers takes work – much of which occurs before the house ever goes on the market.
There are some home maintenance items that most people do not always think about. However, many things that make a house stand out result from regular maintenance, tasks that may seem a little mundane but do a lot to keep up the functioning and appearance.
When performed periodically, these little jobs can help you avoid paying costly replacement or repair fees in the months of putting your home on the market. Unless you plan to sell your home for a bargain to shoppers searching for a fixer-upper, keeping up with the little things is worth the effort.
These home maintenance tips can go a long way in helping your sale go smoothly and do not end up going south due to a failing home inspection. Keep in mind that a skilled home inspector can tell when a homeowner has not been keeping up with regular home maintenance items.
You can bet your bottom dollar that they will point this out to the buyer while the home inspection occurs. So whether you are selling now or not, use these nine maintenance tips to keep your home running like a well-oiled machine! If you are selling by following this advice, you will keep your negotiating after the home inspection to a minimum.
Maintain Your Filters
One of the more important maintenance tips for homeowners is to keep up with changing your heating and cooling filters. Your central heating and air conditioning unit works hard to push air throughout your house. You help the unit operate efficiently and effectively by changing your filters regularly.
It already requires a significant amount of energy to run air through the various vents – failing to install a clean filter makes this process much more challenging and can put unnecessary strain on your central air unit. Make sure you pay particular attention to the filter’s rating.
Some filters need to be changed monthly, while others are “rated” to last much longer. However, you can usually buy a quality filter for your system designed to be modified far less frequently.
Change Batteries For Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors
How to Maintain A HouseWhile changing the batteries is a small maintenance item. Making sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working is not. Your family’s safety depends on it!
The last thing you ever want to go through is having your home destroyed by fire when you could have easily avoided it. So having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is critical.
In some states, including mine (Massachusetts), they are a requirement for sale. It is a great law designed to reduce casualties from two potentially hazardous situations.
You don’t need to be selling your home to realise that keeping up with your local smoke and carbon monoxide detector regulations can be the difference in saving lives!
Inspect And Clean Your Furnace Or Boiler
Heating and cooling systems push a lot of dust along with temperature-controlled air, and this dust and possibly condensation can lead to degradation of your unit and the ducts it uses. Therefore, an annual inspection by a certified service professional is always a good idea.
The service person can clean up any accumulated debris and verify that your system functions. The maintenance requirements are more stringent when you have a forced hot water heating system serviced by oil.
Oil, unfortunately, does not burn as clean as gas and therefore can cause a system to be cleaned on a more regular basis. Most heating companies recommend that an oil-fired heating system be tuned up once a year, whereas you can typically do gas every two years.
Keep in mind that staying up with maintenance on your heating system can extend the lifespan by years. Also, if a buyer sees you have not been maintaining the system, they may consider offering less for your home, thinking they may need to replace it sooner than expected.
Keeping up with your heating system is a maintenance tip you should never neglect as it is one of the most costly items in your home to replace.
Check Your Water Heater
Water Heater MaintenanceYour water heater may heat thousands of gallons of water a year, and like every appliance, it can only perform well for so long.
A yearly maintenance check is recommended for any water heater, even one you just purchased.
Seals have a way of failing, and drains can clog, especially with hard water. If you notice even minor leaks or severe scale buildup, consider contacting a plumber or water heater installation company to take a look.
It is far better to catch a failing water heater before it goes out completely than to come home to a flooded room or basement. Water heaters are an area that home inspectors will pay particular attention to. Ensure that you do not have any pipe fittings leaking or corroded.
At home inspections leaking fittings are quite common because most homeowners do not pay attention to a maintenance item until it becomes a bigger problem.
Check Your Toilets And Faucets
Home inspectors and appraisers notice everything, and they are sure to see if you have any problems with your toilets or your sinks. So take a moment every six months to inspect your basic plumbing fixtures. Water will find any available avenue to escape, especially when under pressure, and you can guarantee that sooner or later, one of these fixtures will begin leaking.
If you are handy, replace the faulty seal. If not, bring in a plumber to tackle the problem before it becomes much bigger.
Spruce Up Your Front Door
Important Home Maintenance tasks may seem trivial, but your front door is usually the first close look anyone gets at your home and is worth sprucing up every year. If you have a hardwood door with a natural look, take the time to clean and polish it. If it is painted, consider touching it up or repainting it as necessary.
Buyers like a welcoming, well-maintained front door. Have an old door handle that is very weathered? Consider upgrading to something visually appealing while also offering good home security.
Keep in mind that maintaining your home’s curb appeal will pay you back when it comes time to sell.
Vacuum Refrigerator Condenser Coils
Most people do not think of inspecting their refrigerators. They seem like self-contained units, and there is not much the average person can do to maintain them. However, the condenser coils on the back of your fridge will collect dust, and this dust can inhibit its operation.
Pulling the fridge out and cleaning off the dust can help your fridge work more efficiently and allow you to clean behind and underneath it.
If you clean your coils, the refrigerator will work noticeably better. Unfortunately, refrigerators are expensive to replace, so this is an important maintenance tip for homeowners not to forget.
Clean Your Exhaust Hood
Cooks working in professional kitchens are required to clean vent hoods regularly. It is a dirty job, typically involving caked-on grease and dust. Your kitchen vent may not be as dirty as in a professional setting, but it still poses a fire hazard and is unsightly when not cleaned regularly.
Take a few minutes to wash off any accumulated grime and replace the filter if there is one. Exhaust hoods are a simple maintenance item that will stick out like a sore thumb if you do not deal with them.
Maintain Your Garage Door
Keep Garage Doors MaintainedYour garage door and opener also require regular maintenance to operate as intended. For example, the chain on your opener must be lubricated, along with any exposed metal joints, and you should check to make certain the door runs smoothly in its tracks.
Most inspectors will pay close attention to a garage door because of the potential for significant injury to a child or pet. In addition, most newer garage door systems have electronic eyes at the bottom that sense movement. These need to be checked regularly to ensure they are functioning as intended.
An Ounce Of Prevention
Taking the time to do these things now, before you ever put your home up for sale, will make the whole selling process easier when you finally begin it in earnest. You and your family will also enjoy the benefits of a cleaner, more livable home right now.
While the home mentioned above maintenance items are mostly considered small potatoes, there are always other common home selling issues that could derail your sale far more quickly. Things like a failed septic system, not taking out required permits for work, and appraisal issues are potential roadblocks.
Prevent Water Damage.
The last thing you want is water damage which can be an expensive and time-consuming project that you didn’t want in the first place. It can also be heartbreaking if your treasured personal items reach the soggy, beyond-repair stage. Check these items regularly:
A. Sump pump: Make sure it is working properly. A battery backup that kicks in during a power outage serves as good insurance against disaster and is a cheaper alternative to a flooded basement.
B. Gutters, downspouts, and drains: Make sure there’s no blockage. Cleaning gutters in spring and fall will help keep them clear and functional.
C. Windows: Make sure windows are sealed properly.
D. Bathtubs, showers, toilets and sinks: Check the seals and replace them.
E. Water softeners: Ensure the water softener is in good repair and not likely to leak.
F. Landscape grading: Check the plants and grading around the house to ensure water flows away from the house rather than toward the foundation or window wells. If the ground is perfectly levelled, it can become a virtual moat filled with water after heavy rains. It can end in seepage or flooding through cracks and windows.
Control Moisture Levels.
High levels of household moisture can cause mould, a serious health hazard that can often require considerable work to correct. Excessive moisture may also attract rodents and insects into the home. No one wants to deal with that! Watch windows for condensation. That can be a clue that there’s too much humidity in the house.
Keep The Air Clean.
Dust can also create a health hazard by triggering allergies or asthma issues. Dust and vacuum your spaces regularly or hire an experienced house cleaning service. You can also purchase an air cleaner if dust and pet hair is a problem.
Check Your Hvac Unit.
Yearly inspections by an HVAC technician can help extend the unit’s life and save you thousands of dollars. Change the air filters according to the recommended intervals, usually every three months for an average house—or more often if you have furry pets.
Vacuum Your Floor Regularly.
Vacuuming your floor every week or at least every other week will help eliminate dust, fur dander and dirt. In addition, regular cleaning will extend the life of your floor, may it be carpet, laminated, hardwood, or other materials, which help improve the air quality in your home.
Keep Your Dryer Vent Clean.
Clogged dryer ducts and vents can cause fires. It’s important to clean the vent every year and replace old accordion-style interior dryer ducts with a straight metal ducts. The folds in the old-style vents collect lint until the buildup becomes hazardous. Once the ducts are cleaned, your dryer will operate more efficiently also.
Clean Ceiling Fans And Bathroom Fans.
A ceiling fan can help keep the air in your room circulated and possibly lower energy costs. Make sure fan blades are clean so you don’t breathe in the dust that collects on the fan. The bathroom fan reduces the moisture accumulation in your bathroom, and it is more efficient and effective when it’s clean—and besides, it looks nicer too!
Check Exterior Components.
Routinely check the siding and paint to ensure no serious damage and that everything is in good shape. It helps protect your house from the elements such as rain and snow. Next, get an opinion from your home inspector or a reputable roofing company on the condition of your shingles or other roofing material. They can let you know if there is any damage, if repairs are needed, and how much life is left on the roof so you can budget for a replacement.
Maintain Your Deck.
If you have a deck, make sure there are no protruding nails, splinters, or loose boards that could cause a safety issue. Clean or power wash your deck to keep it free of dirt or any buildup. Painting or staining the surfaces will keep your deck looking beautiful while extending its deck life.
With awareness of these top 10 critical areas, you can schedule and maintain your home with minimal hassles. Create recurring calendar events to keep you on task and ask for help from family members. You can spread the word throughout the year, so it doesn’t need to be done at once.
If some items require professional help that you are unqualified for, local research vendors, check reviews and ask for referrals from trusted friends and family members.
Your home should be a safe, happy place that puts a smile on your face. Proper maintenance will keep it that way. If you learned something and enjoyed this article, please share it with a friend or colleague.
Schedule Services For Pest Control.
Rodents can cause bigger problems than you think, especially in the basement or walls. Bees, wasps, mosquitoes and even spiders can create a health hazard, so keep them at bay. If raccoons are a problem in your neighbourhood, that can spell trouble and considerable damage. Be sure to keep trash out of reach.
If your home is susceptible to termites, they can ruin thresholds, trim, walls and furniture. As you can imagine, damages are expensive to repair. Talk with your homeowner’s insurance agent to see what coverage you have and what is recommended. If you have a serious problem with pests, ask for a referral to a professional pest control company.
Check Exterior Components.
Routinely check the siding and paint to ensure no serious damage and that everything is in good shape. It helps protect your house from the elements such as rain and snow. Next, get an opinion from your home inspector or a reputable roofing company on the condition of your shingles or other roofing material. They can let you know if there is any damage, if repairs are needed, and how much life is left on the roof so you can budget for a replacement.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Everything you need to know to keep your home clean and tidy. Of course, these are just general guidelines, and everyone’s needs will differ slightly. Be sure to adapt the tips we’ve given you to fit your lifestyle and cleaning habits. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it! Housekeeping can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be a solo endeavour.
Faqs
What Is A Maintenance Checklist?
An itemised list of discrete maintenance tasks that have been prepared by the manufacturers of the asset and other subject matter experts such as consultants. Checklists are the basic building blocks of a maintenance program.
What Is The Pm Checklist?
A preventive maintenance checklist is a set of tasks that the technician must complete to close a preventive maintenance work order. A checklist gets all the steps and information out of a manual and into the hands of experienced technicians by standardising PMs in your CMMS.
What’s The Best Way To Prepare For Home Maintenance And Repairs?
Check smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and ground fault circuit interrupters monthly. Inspect your deck for loose boards, wood rot, and rusting fasteners and hardware annually. Check windows for peeling paint and wood rot each year. Clean debris from gutters annually.
What Are The Four Types Of Maintenance?
You can identify four general maintenance philosophies: corrective, preventive, risk-based, and condition-based.
Why Is The Maintenance Check Sheet Important?
A preventive maintenance plan can save a company money because it will allow managers and staff to focus on preventing equipment failure rather than reacting in case of emergencies. In addition, preventive maintenance checklists can help you monitor your assets based on maintenance goals, expected needs and past performance.