Home Maintenance Tips That Save You Money
By Roy Primm
Take care of your home and your home will take care of you. A long-standing cliche, but it's never been more true than today.
The cost of home repairs, plumbers, electricians and carpenters go through the roof (pardon the pun) each year.
The average homeowner can save a small fortune by taking the preventative maintenance strategy.
Believe me it's a lot cheaper to perform routine maintenance than it is to repair - or heaven forbid, replace something.
As houses go, sooner or later something will need repaired or replaced. But take heart, there's simple actions you can take now to make sure those visits from repairmen are few and far between.
As houses go, sooner or later something will need repaired or replaced. But take heart, there's simple actions you can take now to make sure those visits from repairmen are few and far between.
Your wallet will thank you for these small efforts. Follow the tips and suggestions on this page and you'll save money on major repairs now and in the future.
Focusing on the following areas will save you the most money with the least amount of effort and expertise. Seek professional help if further maintenance or repair needs go beyond the following suggestions..
1. Water Heater
If your water heater is over 5 years old check it monthly for leakage or rust, especially if it's located indoors. Drain the water once a year and add fresh water, this will remove the sediment that collects on the bottom. Consult your water heater owners manual for instructions.
2. Quick Tip To See If You Have A Hidden Leak
Start by not running the water, flushing toilets and turning off all water using appliances for one hour. Now look at your water meter, record the water meter reading.
Focusing on the following areas will save you the most money with the least amount of effort and expertise. Seek professional help if further maintenance or repair needs go beyond the following suggestions..
1. Water Heater
If your water heater is over 5 years old check it monthly for leakage or rust, especially if it's located indoors. Drain the water once a year and add fresh water, this will remove the sediment that collects on the bottom. Consult your water heater owners manual for instructions.
2. Quick Tip To See If You Have A Hidden Leak
Start by not running the water, flushing toilets and turning off all water using appliances for one hour. Now look at your water meter, record the water meter reading.
Note if the flow indicator( that's the triangular or diamond shaped button) is spinning or the meter reading has gone up. If the reading has gone up you may have a leaking pipe that's leaking your money as well as water. Call a qualified plumber before it gets worse- and it will.
3. Roof Maintenance
The roof is one of the most expensive single items to replace on a home and it's the hardest to ignore when it needs replacing.
3. Roof Maintenance
The roof is one of the most expensive single items to replace on a home and it's the hardest to ignore when it needs replacing.
The best way to care for a roof is to keep items off it. Tree limbs from overgrown trees, leaves, standing water and people, you or anyonelse should avoid walking on the roof, except when performing necessary repairs or maintenance.
Also be sure to keep rain gutters clear to avoid standing water near the roof and eaves.
4. Smoke Alarm Maintenance
Although this is a small maintenance item, it can save you huge money, time and even your life. Checked and test smoke detectors at least once a month.
4. Smoke Alarm Maintenance
Although this is a small maintenance item, it can save you huge money, time and even your life. Checked and test smoke detectors at least once a month.
Replace batteries at least every 6 months or at each time change, daylight saving time and standard time minimum. Place the smoke alarms on the highest part of your ceiling and away from fans, air ducts or windows.
5. Electrical Maintenance
Avoid overloading electrical outlets with cords. If your television flickers when your washing machine or refrigerator kicks on, or if your circuit breakers blow out often, you should have your circuits and wiring checked by a qualified electrician.
Outdoor electrical outlets must be on a circuit protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). You should have a ground circuit interrupter if any plug is near a water source like bathrooms, laundry rooms, sinks, outdoor sprinklers or pools, etc.
Check for outlets that have loose-fitting plugs, this can overheat and lead to fire. Replace all broken or missing wall covers. Make sure there are plastic safety covers on all unused outlets that children can reach. Check all electrical cords. Replace them if they're frayed or cracked.
Never nail or staple electrical cords to the baseboard, upper wall, ceiling , or any surface. Avoid placing cords under carpets, rugs or sit furniture on them, this could lead to undetected damage, resulting in fire.
6. Foundation Maintenance
A study of home foundations (ADSC 2000), estimates the cost of foundation repair at over 12.5 billion dollars a year and rising. The most common cause of foundation problems is poor homeowner maintenance and care. As the saying goes, "If you don't care... it could cost you."
One of the biggest problems with foundations is the slope. To avoid standing water near your foundation always make sure the soil slopes away from the house to avoid puddles near the foundation.
5. Electrical Maintenance
Avoid overloading electrical outlets with cords. If your television flickers when your washing machine or refrigerator kicks on, or if your circuit breakers blow out often, you should have your circuits and wiring checked by a qualified electrician.
Outdoor electrical outlets must be on a circuit protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). You should have a ground circuit interrupter if any plug is near a water source like bathrooms, laundry rooms, sinks, outdoor sprinklers or pools, etc.
Check for outlets that have loose-fitting plugs, this can overheat and lead to fire. Replace all broken or missing wall covers. Make sure there are plastic safety covers on all unused outlets that children can reach. Check all electrical cords. Replace them if they're frayed or cracked.
Never nail or staple electrical cords to the baseboard, upper wall, ceiling , or any surface. Avoid placing cords under carpets, rugs or sit furniture on them, this could lead to undetected damage, resulting in fire.
6. Foundation Maintenance
A study of home foundations (ADSC 2000), estimates the cost of foundation repair at over 12.5 billion dollars a year and rising. The most common cause of foundation problems is poor homeowner maintenance and care. As the saying goes, "If you don't care... it could cost you."
One of the biggest problems with foundations is the slope. To avoid standing water near your foundation always make sure the soil slopes away from the house to avoid puddles near the foundation.
Rain gutters should not only collect water off the roof but move the water away from the foundation of your house. The best way to check is to take your garden hose and run water off your roof and see where the water goes.
If it goes away from your house that's good, if it collects at your foundation that's bad. You'll need to fix that or call someone who can.
Studies have also confirmed that trees can cause damage to foundation stability and in more severe cases complete foundation failure.
Studies have also confirmed that trees can cause damage to foundation stability and in more severe cases complete foundation failure.
So be cautious of planting trees to close to your house foundation. And if you must, make sure it's a tree whose roots don't run too deep. Besides water, tree roots is a foundations worst enemy. Be sure to check with a reputable Nursery when in doubt.
7. Cosmetic Maintenance
Cosmetic appearances is the area most people think of when it comes to a homes upkeep, why not? It's what we see first.
7. Cosmetic Maintenance
Cosmetic appearances is the area most people think of when it comes to a homes upkeep, why not? It's what we see first.
It's one of the first signs that says a property owner has pride of ownership and the first signs that shows owner neglect. In fact the personality, character, care or carelessness of the owner reflects in the way their home looks in many cases.
Places like Home Depot, Lowes , OSH rake in millions because of the importance people place on their homes, now more than ever before.
Places like Home Depot, Lowes , OSH rake in millions because of the importance people place on their homes, now more than ever before.
When it comes to your home, keeping up appearances isn't just shallow minded vanity, it make good sense - dollars and cents that is.
Well maintained homes in your neighborhood directly affect your neighborhood property values.
Well maintained homes in your neighborhood directly affect your neighborhood property values.
Performing maintenance on the cosmetic areas of your home is the cheapest but often pays the highest return on your property value. For example, many homes have came back to life with a new coat of paint, a green lush, well manicured lawn, and decorative plants.
Boring cabinets and cupboards have resurrected because of new decorative handles and hardware. And tubs, showers and sinks have produced a double take because of new fixtures.
Now take these seven suggestions to heart, continue to pamper your home with the maintenance it deserves. And you'll receive the reward of many years of comfortable, cozy and sheltered living your wallet with thank you for.
Now take these seven suggestions to heart, continue to pamper your home with the maintenance it deserves. And you'll receive the reward of many years of comfortable, cozy and sheltered living your wallet with thank you for.