Annual Home Maintenance Tasks Should Never Be Skipped

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Most of us are pretty good at keeping up with the day-to-day needs of our homes, and are good are remembering to have a good declutter when it’s time for a Spring clean. What are harder to remember are the annual tasks that only need doing once a year. Here are some of the tasks that should be done every year to keep your house in good condition. 

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1 – Check your exterior drainage. Does rainwater flow away from the house? Puddles shouldn’t stand around the home for more than a day. If water stays put or drains towards the house, there might be a problem. Check your gutters for broken pieces or parts that need cleaning. Water sitting on the lawn could be a sign that there is a problem with septic tanks.

2 – Clean out gutters. Gutters can get clogged with leaves, causing poor drainage. Have them cleaned so water can flow freely and drain as it should. 

3 – Clear and repair the deck or patio. Before the summer, have the deck or patio properly cleaned. This is often enough to get it looking good again, but you might find some repairs that need doing. Fix any loose slabs or rotten wood. The deck may need resealing to keep it in good condition. 

4 – Get the chimney cleaned. If you have one, it should be cleaned once a year to prevent soot from building up and causing it to smoke into the room. Some people think Spring is the best time for this task, whereas others say Fall. Either is fine. Just get it done. 

5 – Get your heating system ready for winter. As winter gets closer, make sure your system is ready to be used. Check for any gaps in windows and doors where heat could escape and get them blocked back up. Make sure that any heating vents are open and not blocked by furniture. Have your furnace serviced and inspected annually, or every other year. 

6 – Test your electricity. Be very careful when working with electricity. There are some things that you can do, but some things should only be done by a professional. You can spend some time checking that all your outlets work, but if you find any that don’t, don’t try and rewire them by yourself. Call an electrician. 

7 – Check all locks and deadbolts on your doors and windows. Make sure they’re all working, not stiff, and repair any that aren’t. 

8 – Check handles and knobs. Go through the house checking handles and knobs on doors, cabinets, and furniture. If any have loose screws, tighten them up again. 

9 – Clear dead plants and shrubs from the house. In the Spring, look over the garden and find anything dead. Remove it, as plants can easily get into cracks and holes in the outside of the home, causing damage, leaks, and other problems. Dead plants near the house can also attract mice and other rodents looking for somewhere warm to live. Don’t offer them a route into your home.  

Sarah x