Home Maintenance and Upkeep

What are the most frequently forgotten home maintenance tips?

Be sure to add these quick tips to your home maintenance schedule:

Air filter. Increase the efficiency of your central heat or air conditioner. Change each month or buy high quality filters.

Dryer Duct. This fire hazard is often forgotten and can result in damage or personal injury. Clean your dryer and filter after each use but don't neglect the dryer duct.

Fire extinguisher, fire alarm, carbon monoxide alarm. Check to make sure these are functional each year.

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What green tips can I do for my home?

1. Use solar outdoor lighting. Solar lighting doesn't require electrical wiring, there are no additional charges to your electric bill and you can relocate the lighting any place desired. Solar lights enhance the look of walk ways, landscaping and security.

2. Create a Green Landscape. Pesticides, fertilizer, watering and time all take their toll on the environment as well as your time and pocket book. Planting native plants, using recycled mulch and natural fertilizers or pest control reduces the amount of time and energy required to keep your lawn looking great.

3. Use alternative materials. Consider natural stone, bamboo or other sustainable flooring instead of carpeting. Ditto for the outside of the home, stone and other sustainable building materials often require less maintenance, painting and other ongoing costs.

4. Install energy saver appliances. There are more choices than ever when it comes to energy efficient appliances designed to save time and money.

5. Weather proof your home. It uses less heat in winter and less air conditioning in summer to stay comfortable.

6. Test plumbing for leaks annually. Even small leaks can add up to a large loss and cost without knowing it.

7. Use automatic timers for your lighting, heating and air conditioning and water heater instead of leaving them on all day or night

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Hiring Home Maintenance Help

Finding reliable and knowledgeable home maintenance and repair professionals can be costly. In fact, it can be so costly you might be tempted to take advantage of special offers, door to door solicitors or others offering bargain rates. Don't even think about it! Here is what you need to know about hiring home maintenance help.

1. Hire only reputable home maintenance and repair professionals. Always request a copy of their business license and current insurance...then confirm the insurance is still in effect. Because of the high cost of insurance, less reputable providers will often cancel insurance at a later date. Never allow an unlicensed person to perform any work on your property. Should he/she be injured, you could be liable.

2. Think twice before hiring the neighbors’ children or the local unlicensed handy-man. Not only are you opening yourself to potential liability should an injury take place on your property but you have little to no recourse if the work is not performed properly. Sub-standard work can cause trouble selling your home or obtaining proper permits and even insurance related to your home.

3. Don't pay in advance. Depending upon the type of work a deposit may be required but do not make final payment until the work is completed when having large home improvement work performed.

4. Carefully review the contract. Before signing any contract be sure to read the fine print. Ask questions if you don't understand something.

5. Ask for references. Better yet, speak to friends or real estate agents who have worked with this professional in the past.

6. Call the Better Business Bureau to make sure there are no complaints against this provider.

7. Obtain the name of the business and persons that will be working on your property. If security is a concern then take a few extra minutes to inquire whether or not the business runs a background check on their employees.

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What home maintenance projects can I do myself?

Not sure if you should try your own home maintenance and repair or call a pro? Use this quick checklist to help you decide:

• Do you have the proper tools to do the job safely including personal protection? Tools can be costly so it often makes more sense to call a professional for a one time project or repair.

• Does the home repair or maintenance project require you to deal with high voltage electricity, plumbing or fuel? Unless you understand what you are doing, attempting these repairs might cost you even more money than anticipated or worse - result in injury.

• Is the problem increasingly rapidly? For example, a large flood or sudden break can lead to even further damage. Even if you know how to handle it yourself the additional time it takes you to do the work compared to a professional might result in further damages or charges.

• Is the home maintenance or project covered by a permit? Consider hiring a professional to handle the job for you. When it comes time to resell your home, buyers prefer to know all work was performed by licensed professionals.

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Does new home construction require maintenance?

Building or buying a new home doesn't automatically eliminate the need for home maintenance. Instead, new construction home buyers should ask the builder, real estate agent and others "how to maintain my home" before moving in. Use these quick and convenient questions to make sure your know how to maintain your new home.

1. Obtain copies of all warranty and service agreements. This will include the builder warranty, appliances, certain building materials, pest control and other products or services related to the home. Be sure to obtain these at or before closing.

2. Make sure you read and understand what is required to keep the warranty in place so you do not inadvertently void the warranty.

3. Understand who to contact should a problem arise. Always put any request for service in writing especially when dealing with new construction

4. Establish a preventative maintenance schedule.

5. Keep a file for the life of the home. Similar to buying a car, having a record of maintenance and repairs performed on the home can demonstrate caring and concern that later helps your home sell.

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What preventive maintenance tips should I use?

Preventive maintenance can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars if you understand what to do and why. Here's a helpful guide:

1. Don't ignore small repairs. Immediately fix small repairs before they become big problems.

2. Septic Concerns. Many city people don't realize septic systems require annual maintenance. Schedule it each year to avoid unpleasant repairs.

3. Seasonal Inspections and Cleaning. Don't allow leaves to remain on the roof or gutters, check for damage to roof tiles, doors and windows at least every six months.

4. Chimney and Fireplace. Have your chimney and fireplace professionally cleaned each fall before the winter season to reduce the risk of fire or other problems.

5. Fire alarm and carbon monoxide detectors. Most new homes require hard-wired detectors with battery back-ups. A good rule of thumb is to change the battery when you change your clocks each year.

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