A stunning 80 percent of homeowners don’t have a heating and cooling repair maintenance plan, or even save money for it. A plan doesn’t help you deal with the occasional surprise like a broken window or burst pipe, but regular maintenance cuts down on the surprises.
To help you manage the job, a maintenance schedule that lays out when to take care of certain items can be helpful. While checking caulk for mold or touching up paint may not make for an exciting weekend, those chores help your home maintain its value and keep it a comfortable place to live.
Remembering them all can be a challenge, here is a schedule that can help get you started for your property in Santa Rosa Beach.
Monthly
These chores involve some of the simpler chores you can tackle. They focus on fixing anything that can turn into a costly repair in the future. You’ll find most of these to be some of the more DIY-friendly jobs as well, so no excuses.
- Change your HVAC filters as needed
- Check the water softener and replenish salt as needed
- Clean faucets and showerheads to remove mineral deposits
- Clean or replace the kitchen vent hood filter
- Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Inspect the outside of the house (e.g., foundation, vents, gutters, and drainpipes)
- Clean the garbage disposal by grinding ice cubes, and then flush with hot water and baking soda
- Inspect the fire extinguisher to ensure it is accessible and has pressure
- Vacuum refrigerator and freezer coils
Annually
Some of these are bigger jobs that you don’t want to do a lot, but many are just things that don’t require constant care.
- Clean clothes dryer exhaust of any lint buildup
- Lube garage door springs
- Drain the water heater to get rid of the sediment that collects in the bottom
- Inspect for evidence of termites (e.g., swarms, mud channels, or weak spots in wood)
- Seal granite countertops
- Check trees for interference with electric lines and trim back as needed
- Test water heater’s pressure relief valve
Seasonal
Some jobs can be done at any time of year. However, many just make sense during a certain season.
Summer
Summer is a good time to clean your deck and siding, while also checking for anything on them that needs repair. Run the sprinkler system to ensure you don’t have any broken heads and that all the heads pop up when they should.
Fall
The good weather makes this a good time for general outdoor tasks, like cleaning the gutters and checking the roof. Touch up exterior paint, and seal cracks and gaps in your windows and doors. When you change the time on the clocks, change the smoke detector batteries as well.
This is also the time to get a tune-up of your HVAC system to prepare it for winter and avoid the need for a heating repair when it gets cold.
Winter
This is a great time to check for drafts around your doors and windows as the colder air is easier to feel. Check and test your sump pump if you have one to have it ready to go when spring arrives.
Spring
Along with spring cleaning, this is the time to fix anything that might have gone wrong over the winter. Check for any damage to the roof or gutters and clean your window and door screens. When you change the time again, it’s time to change the smoke detector batteries again.
Have an AC tune-up done as well. You want to ensure that it’s ready to go as the weather heats up and that you reduce the need for an air conditioning repair.
Managing Home Maintenance in Santa Rosa Beach
Home maintenance doesn’t have to be an overwhelming job. While the list here isn’t comprehensive, keeping a similar schedule can make maintenance manageable and help you budget for regular tasks. A home maintenance checklist keeps you on track and ensures you get to the big jobs.
When you run into issues taking care of your house in Santa Rosa Beach, contact us to talk about how we can help. We take care of everything from HVAC maintenance to appliance repair to keep your home running well.
