Purchasing a property is one thing and preserving its value is another. You have to be fully committed to taking good care of your piece of real estate, such as your house. It’s your castle, after all.
You may be spending time, energy, and money in maintaining your house, but it’s all worth it. You’ll especially appreciate the upkeep when the time comes for you to sell your property.
Here are some tips to help keep your home in mint condition:
-
Start with the foundation
Check the foundation of your house. Make sure water doesn’t collect in that area, which could lead to structural and health issues if neglected.
If you suspect the presence of standing water, investigate immediately. It could be as simple as having your gutters cleaned out. Or it could mean a landscaping issue or the need to install water channeling systems. Call a professional to handle the problem. -
Check your roof twice a year
Following the home inspection (which should be conducted before you closed on your house), have your roof inspected twice a year – once before winter before extreme weather sets in, and then in the spring to check for winter damage. Go beyond eyeballing the condition of your roof. Hire professionals to determine the integrity of the structure and advise you of repairs, if any.
-
Maintain your HVAC
Do the necessary maintenance tasks to make sure your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are working just fine. These include replacing furnace filters either monthly or quarterly, depending on the need, and checking if the thermostat is in good working order on an annual basis, along with replacing the battery if needed.
You should also clean the exhaust fan screens or outlets in the spring and the outdoor air screens or intakes in the fall. But the more serious maintenance tasks must be handled by a professional HVAC technician.
-
Annual to-dos
Every year, make it a point to check the shut-off valve or supply on all toilets in your house, as well as for any damage surrounding your shower or tub. Then, test the drains and traps beneath showers, tubs, and sinks.
Don’t forget to inspect the dishwasher hose connections. Make it a point to examine the refrigerator icemaker connection and drip pan.
-
Seasonal to-dos
Home maintenance work varies as the season changes. Spring, for instance, is a good time to clear out your winter items and bring out seasonal things you may have stored.
Summer, on the other hand, is the perfect time to head outdoors to clear the patios or clean outdoor furniture. Moving forward to fall, clear your gutters and drainage holes once the leaves have dropped.
You can also start winter-proofing your house, beginning with insulating any external pipes or taps to prevent them from freezing and bursting during wintertime.
-
Monthly to-dos
Make it a monthly habit to check your boiler pressure and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Also, remove fluff from your tumble dryer, while not forgetting to top up salt and rinse aid in your dishwasher.
Stay the course when it comes to home maintenance. You won’t just get to enjoy the comforts of your home for years to come, you’ll also reap even more benefits when you decide to sell it ] in the future.
If you’re thinking of buying or selling Pasadena real estate or seeking out homes for sale in La Canada and the surrounding communities of La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Glendale, Pasadena, Altadena, Monrovia, Arcadia and Sunland/Tujunga in California, contact me, Kathy Seuylemezian. Call 818.949.5205, email Kathy(at)imuragent(dotted)com, or send your message here.
Being in the Top 100 of Coldwell Banker’s Residential Brokerage in Southern California, I’m here to help you achieve your real estate goals.