Once Thanksgiving has come and gone, it can seem like the end of the year is approaching fast. One way to make the most of this time is to take stock of what's left to do around the house before the New Year.
It is key to keep up with important tasks in your home when it comes to protecting yourself—and your wallet—in the long run. If you let something get out of control, it can cost more time and money than it's worth. Having an annual home maintenance checklist is a great way to ensure that you stay up to date on the most important tasks.
1. Detail the Walls
Walls run throughout our homes and they're bound to retain a bit of damage over time. A few scuffs or dents are unsightly, but they certainly don't require an entire repaint. Keep a bit of paint in your garage that you can take out once a year to go over spots. Any shallow holes can be patched up with a bit of toothpaste and a putty knife.
2. Go Through Clothes
We're bound to accumulate clothes that we haven't worn for a long time. While it makes sense to go through them once in a while, it can be hard to determine what we're willing to give up. At the beginning of the year, place all your hangers backwards on their rail. When you use a piece of clothing, switch the hanger back around to normal. At the end of the year, anything still backwards should go.
3. Spray for Bugs
It's a good idea to spray the corners of your home with bug poison, and it's a task you should schedule for the beginning of spring. This will help keep them at bay and potentially prevent the need for an exterminator. If you have any children or pets, you need to be careful with this, as you don't want to expose them to the poison.
4. Check Your AC
Ideally, you should change your filter monthly, but you also want to keep an eye on the outside unit. This can get neglected and is often the culprit when it comes to seemingly unsolvable malfunctions.
5. Inspect Your Home for Mold
There are many potential risks associated with having mold in our home, and the organism isn't always easily to identify. In fact, if you can see mold, it usually means that the invasion is substantial. Have an inspector come once a year to ensure that your home is free from this unwelcome invader.
6. Test Your Smoke Alarms
Both your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector should be checked at least once a year, though as often as once a month is advisable. We may not think about it, but the batteries get used every time the detector is set off from the smoke caused by cooking. Change the batteries yearly to prevent any potential problems.
Written by LouAnn Moss for The Healthy Moms Magazine and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.
7. Inspect Your Roof for Damage
Last but certainly not least, a critical item on any home maintenance checklist is to have your roof professionally inspected at least yearly and after major storms. Your roof can hide worsening damage that can lead to leaks, pest entry points, reduced heating and cooling efficiency, and other costly repairs over time.
From roofing and siding to painting and windows, don't hesitate to reach out to us for all of your home service needs! Contact us for a no-obligation, free estimate today.
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