You’ve invested not only money but also time into your home. It’s a labor of love that you hope will one day make for a comfortable retirement. However, in addition to traditional light maintenance tasks, there are preventative measures you can take to keep a small repair from becoming a major one.
Pest Control
Most people don’t put pest control on their annual maintenance checklist. However, it’s very important. You may brush off the occasional ant or noise inside your wall, but that would be a mistake. Unchecked by a professional, you may have a full-blown problem that manifests into a lot of money spent on costly repairs. In addition, if you have animals inside the walls, they may chew through electrical wiring which can cause a total loss of your property.
Roofing
Even if it’s not your primary residence and it’s a rental property, say in North Carolina, you should have the company you hired to do the property management in Durham, NC make you aware of any problems with the roof. Think of your roof as an umbrella that protects you and your family from the outside world. Unfortunately, many homeowners simply forego the annual inspection by a contractor due to the expense. While in general, it will cost a few hundred to hear the words “all good here,” sometimes they can detect a small opening that will, over time, lead to a major problem.
Trimming Trees/Bushes
Each year you should go around the exterior of your property and trim back bushes and tree limbs. You should also remove any trees that appear to be in bad health. During inclement weather, rotting trees pose an imminent threat not only to you and your family’s safety but also to the construction of your home. Even a large limb can do some serious damage to a roof, gutters, and siding. With the right tree trimming company like Riverside Tree Pro, you are assured that your trees and money will not go to waste. Check our site to know more.”
Replace Older Windows and Doors
Older doors and windows perform badly in every season. During the winter they allow cold air to enter and when the hot summer months arrive, they make it difficult to maintain a comfortable environment. Additionally, with moisture entering the home year-round, you put your family at risk for exposure to mold and mildew. New doors and windows not only look nice, but they’re also energy-efficient, helping to cut the cost of your annual heating and cooling bills.
Clean Gutters
The purpose of your gutters is to allow for the natural flow of water off your roof. When you don’t clean them, debris forms in the gutters and starts to obstruct the flow. As a result, the water stays next to the roof slowly compromising its structural integrity. Eventually, this will lead to the need for at least a partial replacement. However, in the worst-case scenario, it penetrates inside the home, causing extensive damage to the walls and ceilings. Regular gutter cleaning will be needed to ensure you experience no clogging and further damage, or alternatively, guards for gutters that can be found on https://www.mastershieldatl.com/ or the likes, can be extremely beneficial in keeping gutters debris-free for longer.
Water Heater
Most homeowners pay little attention to their water heaters. It’s a necessary component to the home that you and your family heavily rely on daily. You count on it when you take a shower, do a load of laundry and run the dishwasher. On average, a water heater can last anywhere between 8 and 10 years. However, they do require annual maintenance. If you don’t have it checked by a professional, it can lead to extensive damage caused by flooding. Before your water heater starts to leak, have a licensed plumber check things like the water pressure valve and flush it once annually.
Plumbing
Similar to the hot water heater, the plumbing is another item in your home that often goes unnoticed. While you count on running water each day, most homeowners are not in the habit of heading to the basement to check the pipes. The problem is that, if you have older plumbing, it’s only a matter of time before a pipe will leak. If you have someone perform an annual inspection, they will find a small leak and make the repair. However, without an inspection, that small leak will turn into a burst pipe and flooding.
Your home is a huge investment that you hope will one day produce dividends. Having a professional check on the major components in your home will save you a lot of money in costly repairs.