When most people think of home maintenance and their home in general, they think of larger scale projects like installing a new roof, or even a new kitchen. While these are important and large scale projects, they aren’t nearly as important as the small projects you do on a regular basis. These small projects are the ones that you can do consistently, and that will help you keep your home in good shape. And that’s why we’re offering this home maintenance checklist for new homeowners in Effingham County and Savannah.
Move-In Home Maintenance
New homeowners in Effingham County and Savannah will, of course, have to begin with move-in home maintenance. No matter how well a home has been taken care of and maintained, there will still be maintenance tasks to be done.
“Taking time to update your home and tend to any maintenance needs before you move in can save you time and money later on. It also provides a better idea of your home’s condition so you can customize your inspection timelines by need. Tour your home, deep clean, and plan your ongoing maintenance from the start. These home maintenance tasks will prepare your home for moving day so you can enjoy a clean and happy home.”
Deep Clean
Begin your move-in maintenance with a thorough deep cleaning. “Clean and disinfect all surfaces, so your home is ready for move-in day. Scrub walls and baseboards, scrub appliances thoroughly, and rent a carpet cleaner to get all of the dust and dander out.”
Replace All Filters
Replacing all the filters in the HVAC system will ensure that you move into a home where you can breathe clean, healthy air. And be sure to replace filters every 30 to 60 days after that.
Locate Water and Electric Controls
When you have a burst pipe and water gushing everywhere, you need to know where the shut-off valve is. Or if you have an electrical emergency, you need to know where the breaker box is. “Each utility has a control panel or shut-off valve in your home. Learn how to control your water and electricity to quickly turn them on or off for maintenance or in an emergency.”
Check All Safety Devices
“Ensure your home is secure and all safety devices are working before moving your family and valuables into the house. Change the locks and install any additional security systems you’d like for your home. Test all existing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Replace the alarms or batteries as needed, and stock up on extra batteries.”
Monthly, Seasonal, and Annual Home Maintenance
Now when you move into that new Effingham County and Savannah home for good, there are home maintenance tasks you’ll need to see to monthly, for each season, and annually. It may seem like a burden because it costs a little and takes some time and effort, but it is definitely well worth it. Regular home maintenance can save you thousands in the long run. As the old saying goes: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
“Performing routine maintenance on your home allows you to take care of small problems with relatively inexpensive solutions before they escalate into big, expensive problems. . . . [F]or every $1 spent on maintenance, up to $100 of repairs are avoided. . . . One such example would be purchasing a caulking gun and a tube of caulk for approximately $10-$20 to repair cracked caulk around exterior windows versus possible $3,000-$5,000 of water damage repair.”
And here’s what the experts recommend with respect to budgeting for home maintenance. “[A] good rule of thumb is to budget approximately 1% of your home’s value annually to invest in maintenance and repair expenses. For example, if your home is worth $200,000, you would budget $2,000 annually to help cover maintenance costs. If you divide that by 12 months, you would need to save $167 per month.”
And here are the important maintenance tasks you should take care of . . .
- Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper water drainage.
- While cleaning gutters, inspect the roof to see if it needs any repairs to avoid water damage.
- “Trim shrubs and trees away from your house. Trees above your roof may encourage critters to make their way into your attic, and vegetation near your siding can encourage pests and water damage to your home’s structure.”
- “Touch up exterior paint to keep moisture and wood rot at bay.”
- “Replace your HVAC filters at least every six months, or 30-90 days if you have pets. Changing your filters regularly can prolong the life of your unit’s life and help it run more efficiently.”
- Fix any leaking faucets.
- “Check your washer hoses and dryer lint trap/vent. Faulty washing machine supply and drain hoses are a leading cause of water damage. Remove lint and build up from the dryer vent to reduce fire risk.”
- Inspect windows and re-caulk around them where needed.
- “Caulk or regrout your tub showers and bathroom fixtures to protect against water damage.”
- Ensure drains are clear and draining well, and clean out the garbage disposal.
Home maintenance may seem like a never-ending list of things to do, but it is well worth the effort. Prevention is better and cheaper than later fixing a large, costly problem.
An Even Better Guide for Home Maintenance
While we hope you found this article useful, we also hope you’ll consider the expertise of your local real estate agent when looking to sell or purchase a home. Real estate agents are the experts on the current state of real estate in your area, and as such, can help you make a better decision on whether it is a good time to sell or buy. If you’re a new homeowner in Effingham County and Savannah and are a little overwhelmed looking at home maintenance, contact me today at (912) 695-6932.
