5 Tips For Maintaining Your Home After You Move In
You made the decision on your dream home and you’ve finally moved in and settled down!
When you first move in, everything is shiny and new.
But many new homeowners are blindsided by the unexpected costs that come along with maintaining a home.
Many get thrown for a loop the first time their air conditioner freezes or their septic tank backs up.
We completely understand that it’s stressful when something like that happens.
But your greatest defense is to keep up with regular maintenance to ensure everything stays in tiptop working condition.
HVAC System
It’s a best practice to clean and have your units tested when you begin a new season. Think central air in the spring and furnace in the fall.
This way you’re prepared for the first heat wave or cold snap of the season.
Keep in mind that calling in a professional can lead to additional costs.
But don’t shy away from these maintenance costs because they protect your investment and increase your appliance’s longevity.
Exterior Water
Once winter rolls around you’re looking at freezing temperatures, and those temperatures can do a lot of damage to your pipes.
If proactive measures aren’t taken, you have to deal with burst pipes and leaks in and around the home.
The best thing you can do to prevent freezing is unhook and drain exterior hoses and turn faucets to a drizzle.
If you find yourself with a burst pipe, shut off the main water supply and locate the source of the leak.
Once you’ve found the leak, call your plumber to come fix it at his/her earliest convenience.
Bonus Tip: Find a good plumber and backup plumber before you need one!
Gutters and Downspouts
On the topic of water, we advise that you spend the extra money to get good quality gutters and downspouts.
The same concept with your HVAC system can be applied to your gutter maintenance.
Seasonal changes can result in debris clogging your gutters. For your gutter cleaning schedule, think: fall leaves and spring pollen.
Take it one step further and put a mesh leaf filter on your gutters to limit the build-up during the season.
Septic and Well
Depending on the load that your septic system takes on, it’s a good idea to have your septic tank pumped by a professional every three years.
This can prevent backups along with extending its life.
Have your well inspected annually to ensure everything is working properly and there’s no stress on the pump.
Pest Control
Lastly, no one wants an infestation of any sort.
And while some prefer to do their own preventative maintenance, consider investing in a professional to ensure the pests around your home are under control.
Bringing in a professional pest control company will give you greater peace of mind knowing that your home has been properly evaluated and treated.
These professionals have a trained eye to see things that you may not know about, as well as having higher powered chemicals for treatment.
Be aware of the pests that are present in your area and know what attracts them so you can be sure to steer clear of those things.
Preventative maintenance costs are the worst, but it’s worth it when you’re protecting your most expensive investment.
Want to learn more about your investment? Click here to peek at our studio of resources!
What were you shocked by when you became a new home owner?
Drop a comment below to let us know!
