4 Essential Home Maintenance Tasks to Do Now

When you’re busy working, studying, or raising a family, it can be tricky to keep on top of everything else that needs to be done. If your property maintenance has been overlooked for some time, you might be surprised at just how much of a risk you’re taking. 

Unfortunately, straightforward tasks can quickly escalate into bigger issues if they’re left uncompleted. By setting aside a small amount of time each week to assess your property and undertake some maintenance, you could save yourself a lot of time, hassle, and money in the future. 

With this in mind, take a look at four essential home maintenance tasks you can do right now:

1. Test your heating system

If you’ve been enjoying the warmer temperatures, you may not have been using your heating system as frequently as you were in Autumn and Winter. Many homeowners leave their heating switched off for months at a time. 

While this may seem economical, it’s easy for pipes to get clogged or systems to seize up if they’re not used regularly. When the weather changes and you turn your heating on for the first time in weeks, it’s not unusual for residents to realize their system simply isn’t switching on. 

By checking your heating system now, you can ensure that it’s still working optimally. If not, you’ll have time to call in the professionals and get it fixed before the colder weather arrives. 

2. Clear your gutters

When gutters are filled with debris, water is unable to flow through them at the intended rate. When this happens, it increases the chances of water overflowing from the gutter and cascading down the side of your property. Of course, this moisture can then penetrate the walls and cause dampness to form inside the property. 

In addition to this, the weight of debris blocking the gutters could affect their integrity. When gutters crack or become unstable, they either need to be fixed or replaced. By cleaning them out regularly, however, you can avoid this altogether. 

As you typically need a ladder to reach your gutters, it’s not a maintenance task that everyone feels comfortable with. If you don’t have the right equipment or you’re unable to complete the task alone, a professional firm, like FS Drainage, can do it for you. With specialist tools and extensive experience, technicians can resolve blocked gutters quickly and prevent your property from succumbing to damage. 

3. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Every household should have a combination of carbon monoxide and smoke and/or fire alarms. If you don’t have these on your property, it’s vital to take action now. These alarms can be obtained relatively cheaply but they are also available free of charge from many organizations. Similarly, if you have trouble fitting a smoke or fire alarm, you may find that you’re eligible for a free installation service. 

Once you have alarms placed in appropriate locations around your home, you’ll want to test them regularly. Most alarms have a handy test button located on them, so it isn’t a complicated job. In fact, you simply need to depress the test button to ensure the alarm can still be activated. It’s a job that only takes seconds to complete, so why not do it now and check it off your list? 

4. Weatherstrip windows and doors

It’s extremely common for cracks or gaps to allow air from outside to enter your property. Even if you can’t see any visible gaps, they are likely making your home less energy efficient. Left untreated, you’ll let warm air escape and cold air enter during the winter when you’re trying to keep your home cozy. Similarly, cool air can escape through these cracks during the summer, while hot, humid air makes its way into your home. 

Weatherstripping is an inexpensive and easy way to prevent this from happening. With store-bought strips, you simply cover the areas that are prone to cracking and prevent air from escaping or entering through them. Once weather strips have been applied, you’ll find it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your property and you may even notice a decrease in your utility bills. 

Taking Care of Your Home

Your home is probably the most significant asset you own, so it makes sense to take good care of it. With regular maintenance, you can preserve the value of your property and make your home a more comfortable and safer place to reside.