Tips For Efficient Home Maintenance

Tips For Efficient Home Maintenance

Because your home is likely the largest and most important investment you will ever make, it is essential to ensure it is properly maintained. Poorly maintained home systems and appliances can result in expensive repairs and replacements, as well as create home hazards. There are many ways homeowners can maintain their homes themselves and with help from professional service providers. The following are some tips on home maintenance to help you identify problems and keep your home systems and appliances running smoothly and efficiently.

Exterior Home Maintenance

Replacing a roof can be an expensive project. You can help your roof remain in excellent condition longer by taking care of roof issues. This will also help the heating and cooling systems run more efficiently and it will prevent leaks in the roof that cause water damage. You should also look for signs of foundation damage. Inspect the exterior foundation for cracks. Having cracks filled and sealed will ensure less expensive repairs in the future.

Plumbing System Damage Prevention

There are some key prevention methods you can employ to help avoid both minor and major plumbing problems. First, you can make sure that it is mostly water that goes down the drains of your toilets, showers, and sinks. Grease and corrosive liquids should never be poured down the drain or flushed in the toilet. There are drain screens for sinks you can acquire to block items like food and hair. Also, only flush toilet paper and waste down the toilet. If you discover a small leak, don’t ignore it. Repairing it right away will help prevent bigger problems in the future. When doing any minor repair on the plumbing system, it is important to be able to close and open the shut-off valves. This includes the water heater and washing machine.

Garbage Disposal Maintenance: Not every food item can go down a garbage disposal. Keep it clean and working properly by only disposing of the appropriate food items. Because there can be a build up of food particles, you can keep it clean by pouring ice cubes in it while it is on. To keep the garbage disposal free of odors, put some lemon peel strips in it.

Dishwasher Maintenance: If you have a clogged or dirty dishwasher filter, your dishwasher will operate less efficiently and your dishes won’t come out as clean. They can also have a bad odor. Cleaning your filter regularly will prevent such problems. You can remove the filter manually to clean. The dishwasher can be cleaned by running an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar to remove food particles and hard water deposits.

Washing Machine Maintenance: Without some needed attention, washing machines can stop working properly or even break down causing a floor flood. If your washing machine is not self-cleaning, you can clean it by running a hot water cycle with a cup of baking soda or vinegar. As well, there are water hoses that attach to the back of the washer which should be inspected for kinks in the line, cracks, leaks, and to make sure the hoses are securely attached to the drain hose. If they are loose, tighten them. To prevent mold and mildew, you can keep the machine aired out by leaving the washer door or lid open after use.

Water Heater Maintenance: Flush out your water heater once a year. Draining your water heater will get rid of debris and mineral accumulation ensuring it runs more efficiently. You can drain your water heater or hire a professional plumber to do the job.

HVAC System Maintenance

To identify any air conditioning issues, you should get your ac system serviced each year and have your HVAC system serviced twice per year. Early spring is a good time to have the air conditioning system serviced. As well, keep branches, leaves, dirt, etc., away from your air conditioner’s outdoor condenser. You should have your furnace or central heating system serviced each year. It is a good idea to get your duct system cleaned out by a professional.

When it comes to HVAC maintenance, you should change the HVAC filters on a regular basis. It is easy to do and it helps keep your heating and air conditioning system running efficiently. You will also prevent contaminants such as dust particles, dirt, pet dander, as well as allergens, from accumulating which is important particularly if you have someone in the home who has asthma or allergies. It is recommended that homeowners replace their HVAC filters monthly.

Clothes Dryer Maintenance: Because dryer lint can accumulate in the duct system which is a big cause of dryer inefficiency and possibly a risk for fire, you should clean your dryer lint screen after each load to remove excess lint. For debris build up on the screen, apply warm soapy water with a brush to scrub the screen clean. As well, it is recommended that homeowners get a professional each year to inspect and clean the dryer vent and duct system.

Implementing a home system and appliance maintenance routine helps to ensure everything remains running smoothly and efficiently. It also helps reduce the chance of safety hazards developing and major damage occurring to home systems. Home system and appliance maintenance also saves you money on expensive repair bills as well as your utility bills.

Another excellent way of protecting your home system and appliances is to purchase a home warranty plan. Customers with an ARWHome Warranty Plan receive excellent customer service, immediate repair service for emergency issues, and ARWHome will respond to a request for service within 24-48 hours. Homeowners get quality workmanship guaranteed. ARWHome has the best reputation in the home warranty industry. Efficient home maintenance and a home warranty plan is the ideal way to protect your home appliances and systems.