Basic Home Maintenance Tips To Know

There are many things in your home that you need to check, clean, and keep up with regularly. Understanding the most critical tasks will help you prioritize a list that allows you to complete these tasks in order of importance. Take it a step at a time, and you’ll surely get it all done.

Consider a few things before you start: the most dangerous machinery in your home is likely in one central area, such as the utility closet, basement, or attic. This machinery includes things such as the water heater and furnace, which can not only poison the air you breathe but start a fire or create an explosion. Following a few basic home maintenance tips to know your home is at its best will give you peace of mind and keep you healthier.




HVAC

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems all play vital and intertwined roles in your home. Make sure to keep up with the recommended maintenance of these systems. Filters need to be regularly checked and changed. Changing your filter every three months is suggested, but if you own pets, keep an eye on them for more frequent changes. Have a professional inspect your furnace once a year (preferably at the start of fall) at the very least; however, twice a year (at the start of spring and fall) is even better. It’s equally important to check your air conditioning units regularly, especially since Florida experiences such hot, humid summers. Clean filters, remove debris, and check the fan and motor.

Ventilation is important when it comes to heating and cooling. You want to ensure that your filters are clean and that you’re being mindful of the registers and vents in your home. Check both the supply and return registers to confirm your air is circulating properly.




Hot Water Heater

Water heater maintenance is just as essential as HVAC care. Be sure to continually check to verify there are at least two feet of space around the appliance. You don’t want it crowded, as it needs proper airflow around it. Check for leaks regularly, and make sure the pilot light is lit whenever you think of it. The water heater should be drained about a quarter of the way several times a year to eliminate debris and sediment.

Dryer

We all know to clean the lint trap in our clothing dryers with every load. Allowing lint to build up will not only impair your appliance’s drying abilities but also cause buildup in the dryer vent. The dryer vent is an exhaust that blows the hot air out of your home. The build-up of flammable lint material can cause a fire. You should clean dryer exhaust vents once a year minimum. Each year, just under 3,000 home dryer fires are reported, causing death, injury, and severe home damage. This is one of the most avoidable home tragedies.

Following these basic home maintenance tips to know proper care protocols for your appliances will ensure your home is the safest it can be. If at any time you feel uncomfortable performing maintenance tasks yourself, contact a professional. There’s no reason to put you, your family, or your home at unnecessary risk.




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