To have a place to hang your own portrait or that of your family is one of the very best accomplishments in life. But it also comes with the never-ending obligation of maintaining your home. Whether you’ve just purchased your first home or have been living in your house for what seems like forever, there will always be something to tend to.
If you’re from a place such as Pittsburgh, PA, you already live where the seasons can be extreme. Cold, snowy winters? Yep. Humid, sticky summers? Oh yes. Much of this weather can take a big toll on your home’s roof, windows, plumbing, and much more. That’s precisely why it’s so important to stay on top of home maintenance. It does pay off, truly.
So let’s jump into this very useful list that helps you keep your house running like a smooth-sailing ship all year long.
Inspect and Maintain Your Windows
Windows pull off a lot more than simply letting in some good sunlight. How well-insulated your doors and windows are can make a big difference in the energy efficiency and comfort level in your home. If your windows are older, drafty or looking tired, they could be costing you a bundle in heating and cooling costs.
Here are some signs your windows may need some attention:
- If there’s condensation or fog between the panes.
- Drafts or obvious cold air infiltration
- Frames that are truly cold to the touch
- Single-pane windows that do not provide much insulation
In Pittsburgh, as in much of the country, where winters are truly the worst, good windows aren’t something that is optional; they are a necessity. If you recognize any of these problems, it’s probably time to hire a company that offers window replacement in Pittsburgh, PA. These days, energy-efficient windows have been designed to keep heat in during the winter, and hot air out during the summer.
Replacement windows today are available in all kinds of styles and materials. You can find ones that match the look of your home and even improve energy savings. It’s a smart investment that can help lower your energy bills, and raise your home’s value.
Inspect Your Roof and Gutters
Let’s face it: it’s so easy to ignore the roof until something goes wrong. Your roof takes care of everything beneath it, so show it a little love.
Check your roof for:
- Missing or cracked shingles
- Loose or damaged flashing
- Algae or moss or any kind of debris build up anywhere
If your roof is 15 to 20 years old or more, you probably should hire a pro to investigate. It’s better to find out early that you require repairs.
Gutters also deserve some attention. They channel rainwater away from your home’s foundation. Clogged gutters can create serious issues, such as basement flooding or soil erosion, around your home.
Remember to:
- Clear out gutters at least twice a year
- Ensure downspouts are directing water at least several feet away from your home’s foundation
A little work saves you lots of money down the line. Trust us!
Service Your Heating and Air Conditioning Systems
Your HVAC system is hard at work day in and day out, and it definitely deserves some tender love and care.
Here’s what you should do:
- Subscribe to professional HVAC maintenance twice annually (fall for heating, spring for cooling)
- Change air filters every 1 to 3 months
Dirty filters impede the flow of air, and make your system work much harder. This means higher bills and possibly a shorter life span for your system. Regular maintenance also helps your home’s air quality, something that is quite critical for your health.
Test Safety Devices
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are items you likely don’t give much thought to until you really need them. To ensure that nothing goes haywire, make sure that they’re all ready to go.
Your safety checklist:
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly.
- Change batteries twice a year (a good rule of thumb is to do this when daylight saving time starts and ends)
- Store at least one fire extinguisher in the kitchen and another in the garage or utility area
This stuff only takes a few minutes and can actually save lives so don’t skip it!
Check Your Plumbing
Plumbing issues can creep up on you and become costly disasters.
Things to look for:
- Leaks under sinks or in the vicinity of toilets
- Staining or any strange odors near your water heater
- Gradual drains or very low pressure of the water.
- Frozen pipes are a problem in Pittsburgh winters (and anywhere up north). So insulate pipes in unheated areas (such as garages and crawl spaces).
There are some small things that you can catch early that will save you some more expensive repairs down the line.
Inspect the Siding and Paint
The exterior of your home has an important job to do. It shields you from the wind and rain, and saves you from the sun seven days a week. So don’t forget to inspect it.
Look for:
- Any signs of cracking, warping or spaces in siding.
- Rot or insect damage if you have wood siding.
- Cracked or peeling paint.
Paint does more than just make your house look pretty. It also acts as a seal, preventing moisture and harm from getting in. Touch up your home’s paint, or consider repainting it entirely. It helps maintain the look of your house and protects it from the elements.
Maintaining your home can seem to be a never-ending list of things you need to do — and, well, sometimes it really is just that! But when you break it down to be manageable, it’s not so bad.
Not only does routine upkeep keep costly repairs at bay, but it also helps your home feel safer, cozier, and far more comfortable. So whether it’s simply forging ahead with that HVAC checkup, cleaning out the gutters, or installing new draft-free windows, even the most time-consuming and money-draining task on this list will return valuable peace of mind.
With a bit of attention and care, your home will keep serving you and your family beautifully for many, many years!
