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| Photo by cottonbro from Pexels |
Have you just bought your first home, and are you starting to get a little confused and feel overwhelmed about everything that needs doing? We’ve found you five important home maintenance tips that will keep you from making newbie mistakes.
Know who to call when things go wrong
You won’t be able to solve every problem that happens in your home by yourself, and you will at some point have to call in a professional. When the issue has already appeared and you’re stressed about finding someone, it can be easy to forego checking reviews and examining all your options. In order to make an informed choice, compile a list of reliable people to have on hand for when emergencies arise. This list will probably include an electrician, a plumber, a handyman, and other tradespeople. Researching different companies and workers ahead of time might save you a lot of grief in the future.
Clear your drains regularly
Yes, you’ll clear your drains when they get clogged, but why would you, if you can stop them from getting there in the first place? To prevent clogging of drains, make sure to clear out all drains regularly with a drain snake, coat hanger or similar tool, rather than being forced to use drain cleaner, which is very harsh on your pipes.
Maintain the roof
If you don’t want to have to replace your roof anytime soon, then increase its lifespan by making sure you maintain it properly. Having a fully functional roof can prevent water damage from leaks and will help your heating and air conditioning work more efficiently. The recommendation is usually to have a roofer inspect your roof twice a year, and then to quickly fix any problems by a reliable commercial roofing contractor before they get out of hand.
Know the signs of pests
Would you know if you had a mouse infestation in your home, or if there were ants or termites living in your walls? With any pest, discovering and addressing the issue early is key to minimizing the damage that might be done to your home from a prolonged infestation. Research what the telltale signs of different pests are, especially those most likely to be a problem in your region and climate, and then keep an eye out for those. At the first sign of anything being amiss, consult a professional. Even better, have regular pest inspections even if there are no signs yet.
Put money aside in case of emergency
A house can come with a lot of unexpected expenses when things go wrong. Calling in your trusted handyman or other professional might come with a hefty bill depending on the problem that needed solving, so even though you’ve just made the biggest purchase of your life, make sure you have some money left over. Always have savings on hand and put some money into an emergency fund every month, so you don’t have to end up stressing about money and taking out loans on top of whatever the issue is you’re dealing with in your house.
Doing all of the above will minimize the number of home emergencies you’ll have. Think of this as preventative care that could end up saving you thousands of dollars.
