How to keep a safe house for you and your family

How to keep your house safe

Home maintenance is an important part of any homeowner’s routine. We don’t often give home maintenance as much attention as we should. It is easy to leave things alone until something goes wrong. Unfortunately, this can be unsafe and inefficient. Here are some things you should be doing regularly to keep your home safe and problem-free.

HVAC System

Having your HVAC system checked regularly is a must. Small problems with your air conditioner or heater can lead to bigger problems in the future. Also, if the system is running inefficiently, you will pay for it on your utility bill. Every spring, have a specialist come out and run a maintenance check on your HVAC system.

Refrigerator

People rarely think about refrigerator maintenance unless it somehow stops working. One thing you can do at home is vacuum the refrigerator coils every year. As dust settles on those coils the refrigerator has to work harder, costing you more money on your energy bill. This practice will lengthen the life of your refrigerator as well as your utility budget.

Washer & Dryer

There are many different components that go into a properly working washer and dryer. Lint and dust buildup in the dryer and vents is inefficient and can be dangerous. every year, have the dryer vents cleaned out. A specialist should also look everything over and make sure it is all working correctly. Like the HVAC system, small problems can turn to larger, more expensive problems if not addressed.

Water Heater

Every year, you should drain your water heater to remove any sediment buildup. This allows the water heater to run cheaper and more efficiently. Having a regular maintenance inspection is not a bad idea either.

Roof

Roofs can sustain damage long before you notice anything inside. This damage can create leaks that make heating or cooling your home difficult, as well as allow water damage. At least once a year, have a specialist examine your roof for any possible weak spots. Replacing a few tiles every year or two is much cheaper, and safer, than paying for water damage from a leak.

Electrical

Faulty electrical wiring is extremely dangerous and may be hard to notice before there’s an accident. Check your electrical panel for any scorch marks. If a breaker keeps tripping, call an electrician to figure out why. Keep an eye on the trees on your property to make sure they aren’t interfering with any electrical wires.

Home maintenance isn’t necessarily difficult, just maybe difficult to remember. Create a checklist of people to call and maintenance projects to do annually. This is the best way to keep your home safe and problem-free.