7 Maintenance Tips for New Homeowners

Table of Contents

1. Maintenance Tips[+]
   1. Keep up with landscaping
   2. Regularly check your pipes and drains
   3. Inspect your roof regularly
   4. Inspect your home’s gutters and downspouts
   5. Keep your fire extinguisher and smoke detector up-to-date
   6. Check your windows and doors
   7. Check your home’s foundation
   8. Home Maintenance Should Not Be A Tiring Chore

Buying a new property can be an exciting time but it can also be a little intimidating. After all, a house is a big investment and you want to do everything you can to protect it. One way to do that is by properly maintaining your new property.

Maintenance Tips

With proper maintenance, you can keep your home in top condition, potentially preventing expensive repairs down the road. Additionally, it adds to the curb appeal of your home and can even help boost its resale value.

Not sure where to start? Here are seven maintenance tips for new homeowners:

1. Keep up with landscaping

Well-maintained yards and gardens will always attract visitors and even potential homebuyers (if you plan to resell your home in the future). Be sure to regularly mow the lawn, trim hedges, and bushes, and pull weeds. Also, don’t forget to fertilize your lawn and plants to keep them healthy.

Although it doesn’t have to be perfect, you should also consider power washing your home’s exterior at least once a year. This will help keep the siding and trim looking new.

2. Regularly check your pipes and drains

Check all your home’s pipes and drains regularly for any signs of leaks or clogs. As soon as you start to notice the leak, make sure you get it fixed as soon as possible before it becomes worse.

Depending on the severity of the leak, you may be able to fix it yourself or have a professional plumber do it for you.

Having a plumber check for your pipes regularly can help you save more time and money in the long run as they can identify any potential problems early on. Although this is only an option, you can always check your pipes yourself if you have prior knowledge or experience.

3. Inspect your roof regularly

In a sense, the roof is your first line of defense against weather conditions and other elements you might find outside. That’s why it’s important to regularly inspect it for any signs of damage, such as missing shingles or cracks.

One common issue homeowners face is pests, such as birds or squirrels, making nests in the gutters. So, be sure to clean your gutters regularly to avoid any potential problems. If you’re unsure about anything, you can always hire a professional roofer to take a look for you.

4. Inspect your home’s gutters and downspouts

Your gutters and downspouts play an important role in protecting your home from water damage. That’s why it’s important to regularly check them for any signs of wear and tear, such as holes or cracks. You should also clean your gutters at least once a year to remove any leaves or debris that may have gathered. 

If you notice any damage, be sure to have it fixed as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may be able to fix it yourself, or better to have a professional contractor fix it to avoid any further damage.

This is a very important point as some insurance companies drive past their clients’ insured homes and take photos of the gutters if they are clogged up with debris. This is so they cover themselves if the client submits a claim of flooding or something which could have been avoided if the gutters were not full.

5. Keep your fire extinguisher and smoke detector up-to-date

All homes should have a fire extinguisher, and you should regularly check it to ensure it’s in working order. One easy way to remember is to check your fire extinguisher when you change the batteries of your smoke detector.

It’s also important to know how to use a fire extinguisher properly in case of an emergency. Be sure to read the instructions carefully so you’ll be prepared if a fire does break out in your home. It’s also crucial to have your smoke detector regularly checked by a professional residential fire protection system expert to avoid any false fire alarms.

Also, ensure that you purchase the correct fire extinguisher – For example, if it is to be kept in the kitchen, then it is best to have a dry powder extinguisher. Keeping a few on hand in different rooms of the house, as well as keeping one in your car, is a good idea.

6. Check your windows and doors

Your windows and doors play an important role in keeping your home energy-efficient. So, it’s important to regularly check them for any gaps or cracks. You can easily do this by holding a piece of paper up to the window or door. There’s a gap in your home that needs to be sealed if you see any light coming through. If there is, then you know you have a leak.

Another way to improve your home’s energy efficiency is to upgrade your windows and doors to more energy-efficient models. The result of this will be that your home will be more comfortable all the time and your energy bills will be less expensive.

7. Check your home’s foundation

Changing weather can affect your home’s foundation, so it’s important to regularly check it for any cracks or damage. There is a chance that rain and snow can cause the ground to shift, causing cracks to appear in your foundation as a result.

This can be a serious issue if left unchecked, so be sure to have any cracks repaired as soon as possible. You can do this yourself with some concrete sealant or hire a professional contractor to do it for you.

Home Maintenance Should Not Be A Tiring Chore

Maintenance is a part of being a homeowner, but it doesn’t have to be a tiring chore. By taking some preventative measures and being proactive, you can keep your home in tip-top shape,  avoid any major problems down the road, and enjoy living inside it with your loved ones. Plus, regular maintenance can actually increase your home’s value over time. So, it’s worth taking the time to do it right.

Thank you for reading!