HappyLifestyleJournal
Being a homeowner does not end upon buying a new house. Just like a car, your home must be maintained in top shape through proper maintenance. Regular home maintenance can also prevent you from expensive repairs and accidents. The best way to be on track with your maintenance tasks is to keep a calendar. The most frequent would be monthly check ups. Each season would require a specific maintenance task such as checking your heater during fall in preparation for winter or planting seeds in your garden for spring. But for any month, here are the monthly home maintenance tasks you should be doing for your home.
First, clean your kitchen sink. Your kitchen is one of the most frequently used areas of the house. You may not notice it but the pipes under your kitchen sink can get filled with sticky and greasy substances. Check what kind of pipes you have under your sink. PVC and copper pipes can be more resistant to these substances but older, iron plumbing can clog more often. You can pour 3 to 4 cups of boiling water down the drain to dissolve any grease buildup. Another easy cleaning solution you can do is pour some vinegar and baking soda in your kitchen sink. Wait for a few minutes before running water down the drain. Make sure you unclog your pipes to avoid calling the plumber in the future for a more expensive fix.
Second, check your fire extinguisher. There is nothing more tragic than having your house burn down. Homeowners tend to buy fire extinguishers and forget about them. Your monthly fire extinguisher task will not take long. Just check if it’s fully charged. Check your fire extinguisher’s location. It should be accessible anytime and not obstructed by any large objects.
Third, clean your kitchen and garbage disposal. This task is also quick and easy. Pour some vinegar in an ice tray and freeze it. Then toss the ice cubes in your disposals. The vinegar will clean the disposal while the ice chips will help sharpen the blades. If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, toss in some slices of lemon for a fresh scent.
Fourth, clean your refrigerator. Check for any expired or spoiled goods and toss those away. Wipe the shelves and you can rinse out the drawers with soap and water. You can wipe your refrigerator with bleach water to make it shine. For stains and sticky substances, you can apply hot water. Do not forget to clean the door and cracks or crevices. If your refrigerator has a baking soda container, refill it once a month.
Fifth, inspect and change HVAC filters. If you have a big home or live with pets, it is recommended that you inspect and change your HVAC filter once a month. If not, still make it a habit to inspect your filters once a month to determine if it needs changing. You also have the option of using cheaper filters but replacing them more often.
There are other general household maintenance tasks you should be doing. Check your major appliances for any loose wires to avoid higher risk of fire. Clean your showerheads and faucets to remove accumulating mineral deposits. Inspect your doors and windows for any loose locks and handles. If you have carpets at home, vacuum two or three times a month to avoid accumulating dirt. All of these measures may appear tedious but most of these tasks will take only 3 to 10 minutes of your time.
Keeping your house in top shape will give it a much longer life span. You will have fewer emergency repairs that can sometimes cost hundreds of dollars. Your energy bills will be reduced if the appliances are functioning more efficiently. Take care of your biggest investment to get the highest return on it.
