Home maintenance tips | Homeowners Guides | YBS
It’s unlikely that home maintenance is top of your priority list of must do things this weekend. But along with the daily and weekly essentials like cooking, laundry and cleaning, regular home maintenance is just as important to keep your home in order and even prevent future problems.
So where to start? We know it can be a bit daunting when faced with an endless list of tasks, that’s why we’ve created this handy checklist to help you keep on top of all those jobs that just need doing. You can adapt this to suit your schedule, just tick off each task when you’ve completed it and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you’re doing your best to ensure your home is well looked after.
Starting with the big external jobs
Roof
If you can do this safely, give your roof a good inspection for missing or cracked roof tiles or slates and make sure you replace or fix them as quickly as possible to avoid any potential water damage. If you’ve got a chimney, check for any cracks in the flue or crumbling mortar.
Guttering and drains
Remove any leaves or other debris that may have fallen into your gutters to avoid overflow. Check and unblock your drains as often as possible and be careful what you put down the sink!
Windows and doors
Polish or replace any damaged hardware and repaint your external doors if required. Lubricate door hinges to avoid any sticking. Are all your window seals intact? Check to avoid leaks.
Patios or decking
A good jet wash is usually all you need here and consider re-staining any decking or fencing to keep them looking fresh.
Moving inside
Kitchen and bathroom
Missing sealant around the shower or bath can cause you serious water damage in your bathroom and the rooms below so make sure you replace any that’s looking worn. And don’t ignore any damp stains on the ceilings in the rooms below. Check the grout around your tiles in the bathroom and kitchen, this will prolong the life of your tiled surfaces and keep them looking fresh.
If you’ve got an extractor fan, clean or replace the filter and don’t forget to get rid of any blockages or lint from the hose in your dryer.
IMPORTANT
Check your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors on a regular basis and make sure you replace the batteries every 6 months.
Give each room a deep clean. By keeping on top of things and not letting dirt and grime build up you can keep your home in top condition.
Home insurance providers don’t cover wear and tear on your property so it’s important that you keep your home in a good condition.
Living Rooms
Check the fireplace for any damage and have it professionally inspected for safety. Consider having the curtains and carpets professionally cleaned to keep them fresh and get rid of any nasty stains. Remember to give those dusty light fittings a good clean.
Bedrooms
These should need nothing more than a regular deep clean in terms of upkeep and again consider professional cleaning for carpets and curtains. Turn your mattresses regularly if required.
So whilst this checklist is by no means exhaustive it could give you the kick start you need to start tackling those jobs that you may have been putting off for months or who knows maybe even years… you may even find out you enjoy it!!
