First-time homeowners often fear the nightmare situations that could happen with a new property. The HVAC system goes down, there is mold growth in the bathrooms you didn’t see during the home inspection or other defects the home inspector didn’t catch. Many people don’t even know what to inspect during a house tour. Don’t worry. You aren’t alone.
The truth is things happen whether you know what you are looking for or not. Even if everything in your home appears to be in good condition when you buy it, there are going to be issues that arise. That doesn’t mean you need to go into crisis mode when something does. However, it’s a good idea to prepare a checklist of things to do to help make your home systems last longer and run more effectively.
Scheduled Maintenance
When you become a homeowner, most people don’t realize that they need to become knowledgeable about a variety of different areas concerning their house. Gutters, furnaces, faucets, major appliances, the list goes on. This doesn’t mean you need to be an expert contractor who knows how to fix everything. You just need to have a general sense of how often to check for a possible problem.
This is where scheduled maintenance comes in. Whether it’s an entire system check or just a portion of a system, a routine check-up can greatly increase the lifespan of appliances and fixtures. This is also a good way to protect your heating and cooling system from experiencing a breakdown. A proper maintenance plan is a foundation for longevity.
Regular Filter Changes
One surprising thing you’ll find with homes is many appliances have filters. This is also true with your home systems, particularly the HVAC. Routinely changing the filter is one of the best ways to improve ventilation and keep ducts clean.
Proper airflow will help the rest of the house maintain a comfortable temperature, which in turn will improve the likelihood of systems functioning properly. Furthermore, air filters are relatively inexpensive compared to replacing an entire HVAC unit. Not only will they increase the system’s longevity, but it will be less money in the long run.
Run the Recommended Settings
Another issue that can diminish the lifespan of your household systems is not using the proper settings for them. With your electrical system for example, if you continue to push more amps than what your breaker box can handle, you’ll continue to pop circuit breakers. This will lead to some costly repairs if you aren’t careful. It can also lead to damage of expensive appliances like televisions or electric stoves.
Additionally, flushing materials not suitable for your toilet can lead to massive issues with your plumbing. The odor will be the least of your issues if you have to call in a plumber to clean debris in some of your sewer lines. Make sure that you listen to what the manufacturer recommends for the proper use of your household systems.
Upgrade Auxiliary Support
Finally, a way to keep your house feeling like a new home and also to make it last longer is to upgrade it. Search for appliances and items that are beginning to have defects and replace them. Windows are a big example. An older home with single-pane windows can lose a lot of heat in the winter. Upgrading the windows will not only keep your house warmer, it will limit the strain on your heating system.
Another place to consider upgrading or replacing is the roof. Moisture and mold can easily form from leaks in an older roof. These issues will just put additional stress on your household systems. Consider replacing your roof once it’s reached its life expectancy.
