4 Things You're Forgetting to Maintain in Your House

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Whether you have an old or new house, there are certain tasks that tend to get left behind when it comes to home maintenance. 

These tasks are a huge pain in the neck to take care of (here’s looking at you, vacuuming the dryer lint trap), but if they are left for too long they can really cause quite a disproportionate amount of cost and damage.

Overall, there are a lot of things that need our attention when attempting to maintain a home, so it’s not surprising that some vital upkeep tasks go amiss...that is until they break.  (Then you notice really fast.) 

Have a look below at some of the most common everyday things that people forget to keep on top of.

#1:  Roofing

You should be checking your roof at least once a year. 

(Yes, I did just hear you groan.)

You can either do this yourself or ask a professional to do the task. This will not only help you catch problems early on, but it will also be handy if you have a new home as the majority of warranties are void if a roof is not appropriately maintained. (Yes, home warranties can be void.  Trust me, we battled long and hard with ours when we first moved in.)

When you check out your roof, you should be looking out for thing such as: 

• Signs of rot. 

• Cracked Caulk. 

• Moss or Algae.

• Missing Titles.

Make sure that when you’re checking anything to do with your roof, you are safe and only climb a ladder if you are confident that it is adequately secured. You can also perform some of the checks from inside your loft space. 

#2: Clean Out Your Gutter

Gutters are one of the most common things that get forgotten, because they’re outside and out of sight. 

(Ever heard of the saying ‘out of sight out of mind’? I’m pretty sure they were talking about gutters.)

The buildup of leaves and dirt is difficult to see, so it’s often assumed that it’s clear. However, when they’re not cleaned out you run the risk of creating a problem later on with a backlog of water that can easily find its way into your home and cause things like mold. 

In the winter, it can also generate ice dams, which can cause your gutter to break and become detached from your home. 

#3: Drains 

Another thing that’s all to easy to forget about is your drains.

(Trust me, as an oil-dumping, wash the shaggy dogs in the shower, drain abuser.I know.)

However, we really should be looking after our pipes regularly. Having blocked drains can cause significant problems along the line, so it’s more than essential to take care of these. Try not to allow debris to slip down drains and use preventative measures such as hair catchers in the bathroom to get you off to a good start. 

#4:  Service Heating and Cooling Systems

Several factors have an effect on the performance and lifespan of your heating and cooling systems. 

It’s a good idea to complete a service annually on these sorts of areas.  For heating appliances, you will need a gas trained professional, but for cooling, you’re more than able to change some things (like the filter) to keep them working. The average boiler lasts for about 5 to 7 years, but this can be longer if regular services are performed. 

Anyone who owns a home will benefit from keeping on top of these simple tasks. Although they may seem like a little bit of a hassle, it’s important not to put them off.  They can all lead to rather expensive repairs that you could avoid. Plus a well-maintained home is more valuable. 

Do you have any other tasks that go forgotten that you can share in the comments section below?