Keep your home up-to-spec with these maintenance tasks

by Ghodsi Emambakhsh 11/03/2024

From your plumbing and HVAC system to home safety devices, there are several items in your home that can break down or malfunction. Doing some maintenance tasks each month can help reduce the risk of needing repairs or having to replace equipment. Plan on performing the following maintenance tasks in your home monthly:

Replace HVAC filters

Your HVAC filters end up coated in dust and debris, which can affect your HVAC system's efficiency and your air quality. Check your HVAC filters every month to see if it's time to replace them. If your filters are dirty or clogged, replacing them with new ones helps improve your air quality and causes less wear and tear on your HVAC system. Keep in mind you might only need to replace your filters every few months, but at least check them each month.

Check for leaks

Leaks can lead to serious and costly water damage. Even smaller leaks can cause problems, such as running up your water bill. Although some leaks are easy to see, others can happen in hidden areas, such as inside walls. Check for signs of leaks in your home every month, such as water spots on ceilings and walls and puddles of water near plumbing fixtures and appliances. Have leaks fixed immediately to prevent water damage from occurring.

Test smoke & carbon monoxide detectors

Your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are there to keep you safe, so make sure they're in good working condition. Test these home safety devices each month to ensure they work properly. If they're not working right, you might need to dust them off or replace the batteries.

Seal bathroom gaps

Cracks or openings around your tub or shower can lead to leaks inside your walls or floors. Search for gaps around bathroom fixtures every month, and seal them up with caulking to prevent leaks. Touch up the grout between bathroom floor tiles or shower tiles each month as needed, which helps reduce the risk of mildew and mold growth.

Check your home exterior

Walk around the exterior of your home once a month to search for issues that need to be addressed, such as cracks or gaps in the foundation. Also check for areas of standing water that could indicate a drainage problem on your property.

About the Author
Author

Ghodsi Emambakhsh

Experience the difference - personal ties and relationships turn a property into a home. Warm, professional relationships are a hallmark of the Compass experience, and my clients often remark on the quality of my carefully chosen network of financial, legal, logistical and other specialists. The high-quality network that I have fostered extends beyond the Bay Area to an international audience of potential home buyers and sellers through the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and the firm's luxury home division known as Luxury Portfolio. My personal network combined with Compass market tenure and brand identity gives my clients a distinct advantage when buying or selling a home. My relationships open the door for my clients to be at home anywhere. Where people, homes, opportunity and a bit of imagination intersect, you'll find me at Compass.