Home Maintenance Tips Every First-Time Owner Needs to Know
Whether you’re preparing your home exterior for an upscale summer, or sealing up and caulking down to conserve energy for the winter, home maintenance tips can get you through the first few months of owning a new home. First-time homeowners may already be blogging about damage and repairs, home renovation and remodeling, and the contractors they should call for help with their homes. So, here are the home maintenance tips every first-time homeowner should know.
Seal and Caulk Windows Before Winter
A significant amount of energy is lost through your windows and doors. Seal and caulk them using silicone and a caulking gun. Make sure to cover all edges thoroughly so that no air leaks out, yet none of the material interferes with the opening and shutting process. Despite being cheaper compared to other window styles, vinyl windows guarantee you the highest return on investment of up to 75%. They’re perfect for a cool draft slipping through your windows on a cold night. Remember, not only do you have to worry about your sleep, but if you have a draft in your room, it’s possible that insects will later be able to enter the home through those cracks.
Look for Signs of Water Damage Regularly
Homeowners spend 1% to 4% of a home’s value on maintenance and repairs every year. That expense increases as the house ages. So, for a $200,000 home, you can expect to pay close to $2,000 in repairs annually. But what happens if you notice signs of discoloration on your ceilings and walls? Or, you hear running water or notice a leak from the roof? What you’re noticing is water damage and plumbing issues, both of which you have to be aware of at all times. On one hand, you might be blogging about health issues that arise when there is mold and mildew in the house. You also have a weakened structure and surface damage from water damage if you don’t catch it right away. So, as a new homeowner, start your journey off right by checking for signs of water damage regularly, so you can fix the problem right away by calling the appropriate contractor.
Dust and Clean Regularly
Go through your home several times a week with a damp cloth, furniture polish, and all-purpose cleaner. You can also consider using soap and water, but be sure not to use products that could harm your surfaces. Regular mopping, sweeping, dusting, cleaning, and sanitizing will go a long way toward keeping you and your family safe. Dirt, allergens, stains, and odors can accumulate on your carpet. Therefore, it’s important to have your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year. If you can afford a professional house cleaning service, great. If not, you’ll have to do both regular and deep cleaning to ensure a clean home.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is essential for controlling the temperature throughout your home, whether you’re there or not. If you leave your home and want the air conditioning to continue cycling, a programmable thermostat allows you to schedule on and off times, lower or increase the temperature, or stick to the current settings without ongoing monitoring. Remember, keeping your home warm or cool can prevent mood swings, anxiety, agitation, and other signs of physical discomfort.
Retouch or Add a New Coat of Paint
Your walls, house exterior, garage, and patio look nice when they’re freshly painted. But a poorly done job will leave splotches of paint and chipped and cracked spots throughout the home that hurt your home’s appearance and market value. Improve your home’s curb appeal by retouching the surfaces, making sure to prime, remove stains and damage, and evenly applying a coat of paint that adds to your home’s appearance rather than take away from it. If you imagine yourself blogging about your home looking its finest, a new color can add depth, a sense of sophistication, class, and personality to a home owned by a new homeowner.
Congratulations on becoming a new homeowner. Now, you’re on your way to making your dream home look as presentable and comfortable as you want. Remember these tips for new homeowners when it comes to home maintenance and repair. As long as you have some rules to live by, homeownership will be like a walk in the park.
