Owning a home is exciting, but, as all homeowners know, it’s a significant commitment. As the new year starts, it’s a good time to take a look at your home maintenance process and find ways to improve throughout the coming year. Here are a few tips to consider.
Study Suggested Maintenance Schedules
Nearly all parts of your home have maintenance needs, but homeowners often don’t realize their suggested maintenance schedules. For example, your carpet likely has a recommended cleaning schedule, but it’s easy to fall behind if you don’t know the suggested cleaning intervals. A professional carpet cleaner can set you up to have regular e-mail reminders. Similarly, your counter might need regular maintenance to maintain its look, and falling behind can cause premature wear. Try to pull out the documentation that came with these items and others, and find out if you’re overdue for scheduled cleaning or maintenance.
Create a Maintenance Schedule
As with all ongoing activities, creating a schedule can help you stay on top of your maintenance needs. Keep an eye on the future; how often will your home’s components need to be maintained over the next five to 10 years? You won’t need to pull out this schedule often, but checking it at the beginning of each month, for example, can help you schedule maintenance and keep your home in top condition.
Plan for Major Expenses
Roofs, in particular, need regular maintenance and even replacement after a certain amount of time. If you purchased your home relatively recently, you might not be sure when it’s time to have your roof serviced or replaced. The new year is a great time to locate this information and begin planning for the future. If you’re going to need a new roof in five years, knowing this now gives you time to start setting aside money to cover the cost. Similarly, you might want to take a look at your driveway. Have cracks slowly formed over the past few years? In some cases, getting them treated early on can save you money down the line.
Performing Your Own Maintenance
Some parts of your home require expert help. However, there are some tasks you might be able to handle yourself. If you have wood cabinetry or counters, you can likely oil them yourself, but you’ll want to get ahead of schedule to ensure you know what to expect. Set aside some time during the weekend to prepare for do-it-yourself work, and consider having contact information from a trusted handyman if you run into trouble.
Maintaining your home isn’t cheap, but being able to avoid replacing items prematurely can save you money over the long term. Use the new year as an opportunity to get on top of your home maintenance and plan for the future. It’s a resolution you’ll be glad you made.
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