6 Ways Routine Maintenance Saves Big Later

May is National Home Improvement Month. It’s a great time to give your home some much needed TLC. Your home is your happy place, where you escape, make memories and relax. It’s also most likely your biggest financial asset. It deserves the same kind of loving attention you give your family, friends, and pets. By taking care of your property on a regular basis, you can save yourself time and money down the road. Routine property maintenance also increases your home’s resale value.

Save Money Now!

Routine maintenance is good for your wallet. It’s estimated that every dollar of deferred maintenance results in $4 in future repairs. You can avoid large-scale repair jobs if you catch manageable issues before they go south. If damage is left undetected and things get out of hand, costs can skyrocket quickly. For example, the cost to replace a gutter system averages around $1,100. A new roof can cost around $8,700 and can go much higher depending on area and material. New siding can cost well over $10,000 depending on the size of your home. To avoid hefty expenditures, it’s important to stay on top of routine maintenance.

Here are some common areas of your home where maintenance efforts now can really pay off.

1. Roof

Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements, including rain, wind, hail, snow, and ice. Having your roof inspected on a regular basis keeps you ahead of the game. Addressing minor maintenance issues before they get out of control will save you thousands on costly repairs later. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends getting a roof inspection at least twice a year after the hottest and coldest seasons and after any major storm or weather event.

2. Siding

Your siding endures the brunt of damage from the elements. It is always on the front-line fighting mother nature. Routine maintenance mitigates future damage before it occurs. Cracks and holes in your siding can cause energy leaks and skyrocketing electric bills. Damage can also lead to moisture problems and mold growth, which can lead to the interior of your home.

3. Gutters

Without proper maintenance, gutters can become blocked, causing massive damage to your property and huge headaches for homeowners. Clogged gutters can cause structural damage in the foundation, roof damage, leaks, and ice dams. Gutters should be cleaned and inspected two times every year. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional to do the job, consistency is key. It’s recommended to do this every spring and fall.

4. HVAC

It’s important to have your system checked to ensure it’s working properly. Also make sure to change your filter on a regular basis. Home Advisor suggests cleaning or replacing your filter every single month. Replacing your air filters regularly not only extends the life of your HVAC system, it can also lower your energy consumption by up to 15%, which means you pay less each month and less over time.

5. Plumbing Lines

With plumbing lines, out of site should not mean out of mind. Unchecked lines can lead to backups, leaks and major damage over time. Check your sinks and tub drains for debris and clean your faucets and shower heads to remove mineral buildup. Also, don’t forget to change filters, replenish salt in water softeners, flush your hot water heater and clean your garbage disposal. It’s recommended to do this every six months. Quarterly is even better.

6. Safety Systems

It’s important to remember to check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors every six months and replace the batteries immediately if they become low. These life-saving devices cannot do their job of protecting you, your family and your home if they’re not functioning properly. Put reminders on your calendar every spring and fall with the beginning and ending of daylight savings time for an easy reminder.

Routine Maintenance Schedule

As our lives get busier, it’s easy to forget about maintenance tasks. Be sure to schedule them in!

About Home Repair

At Home Repair, we offer a 360° Care Club Maintenance Program with four levels of care to choose from. As a licensed general contractor with over 25 years of experience, our expertise is unrivaled. Damaged? Destroyed? Just Tired? Give us a call today at 1-877-RED-HOUSE to learn more.