After buying your first home and settling in, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by the maintenance requirements. Regular checkups of your home and existing systems will help you save money and relieve worries in the future. Once you are accustomed to the routine of performing such tasks, you may even find some enjoyment in the process.

Routine home maintenance will allow you to become familiar with the inter-working of the systems and components within your home. Most preventative maintenance can be done semi-annually. There are a few things which should be done monthly.

Air conditioning filters should always be changed once a month. This will help your system work more efficiency and reduce heating and air conditioning costs. This is also a good time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors and check the gauge on any fire extinguishers. A quick visual inspection of your hot water heater will alert you to any leaks.

Semiannual preventative maintenance is typically done in the spring and fall months. Exterior maintenance would include walking around the property to make sure there is no foliage or trees growing on the roof, checking the roof for missing or damaged shingles or tiles, and cleaning out gutters so they drain freely and away from the house. Checking in the attic for moisture stains is also recommended.

Windows and doors may be allowing heating or cooling to escape in the smallest places. By sealing any cracks along the frame work of the windows, you will ensure they are air tight. Weather stripping around exterior doors will also prevent the air from escaping.

If your home has a wood burning fireplace, clean out the firebox and make sure the damper is closed when not in use. Check for missing or loose mortar and have the fireplace professionally cleaned. Gas fireplaces do not require this type of maintenance.

Vacuuming the coil in the back of the refrigerator will help keep this large appliance working efficiently. Check for plumbing leaks under sinks, at the washing machine valves and behind the toilets. If you have any bathrooms which are not used frequently, run all the plumbing to keep the seals and washers working.

By doing some basic yet very important maintenance as we mentioned above, you can extend the life of some of the components. You will also find yourself with a more energy efficient home and possibly lower utility bills. Someday, your home may be your children's home.  Jeffrey Austin