While buying a home is an exciting experience, this investment also brings in a new set of responsibilities that need to be addressed throughout the year. You no longer have a landlord to take care of maintenance and repairs. Now, it’s time for you to take the lead and manage the small tasks that will protect your investment.

It is rewarding to own a home. At the same time, you need to be ready to put in the hard work and dedication required to maintain the property. Here are a few things that should be on your home maintenance checklist:

Monthly Home Maintenance

Monthly tasks are easy to do… and easy not to do. Even though these maintenance items might seem small, they can have a long-lasting effect on protecting your home:

  • Mineral Deposits: If you notice that mineral deposits are building up on faucets and sinks, then it is important to maintain a regular deep cleaning schedule to stay ahead of the build up. Use vinegar as an inexpensive option to protect your drains, faucets, and fixtures.
  • Slow Drains: Are any of the drains slow to clear the water in the sink? Address these issues with a DIY solution. Or, call a plumber for assistance.
  • Flooring: Stay consistent with regular mopping and vacuuming to protect the flooring and reduce the chances of damage due to dirt and grime.
  • Yard Care: Ongoing yard maintenance tasks vary depending on the landscaping on your property. Common requirements include lawn fertilization, shrub trimming, weeding, and more.

Biannual Home Maintenance

Consider these options for twice-a-year home maintenance:

  • Detector Batteries: Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure that the batteries are working properly. It might be a good time to replace the batteries so that you don’t run into issues between inspections.
  • HVAC Filters: Changing the filters on your heating and air conditioning system is important. Not only will new filters reduce the amount of dust and allergens in your home. But, these filters will also minimize the wear and tear on the HVAC system.
  • Tree Trimming: Do you have any overgrown trees on your property? It might be a good opportunity to cut back the large branches. This maintenance task reduces the likelihood of damage to the exterior of your home in case a storm blows through the area.
  • Gutter Cleaning: Ensure that water can flow properly through the gutters when it rains.

Annual Home Maintenance

A few tasks only need to be addressed once a year:

  • Roof Inspection: Look for damaged or missing shingles to identify areas that need to be patched.
  • Mortar and Seals: Check the seals around the home to see if any areas need to be repaired. Look at the weatherstripping around the doors and windows.
  • Overall Repairs: Are there any repairs, exterior or interior, that you’ve been putting off? Right now is a great opportunity to take care of the miscellaneous to-do list so that every aspect of your home is in good condition.

For more information about protecting your home, talk to us at DUFFY Realty. We offer the leading real estate services in the Atlanta area. Call for assistance with buying or selling a home: (678) 318-1700

If you enjoyed this article with the Home Maintenance Checklist: Staying Ahead of Common Repairs, please take a moment to read this one now:  How to Build Home Equity Quickly.