The Homeowner’s Toolkit – Smart Maintenance Tips to Avoid Costly Repairs

Biannual Home Maintenance Tasks (Every 6 Months)

1. Give your house a Deep Cleaning –  In addition to the routine cleaning, regularly check mysterious places like behind appliances, window tracks, blinds, below large furniture, and fans on the ceiling. This prevents building up the dust, enhances indoor air quality, and infuses your house with a renewed sense of freshness.
   Tip: Before Deep Cleaning, make a list of every room, so that places don’t get overlooked.  
2. Review the Gutters and Roof– To prevent water damage and foundation problems, check for loose or damaged shingles and clear leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts.
   Tip: For easier cleaning, use a leaf blower or a gutter scoop. 
3. Reverse the direction of the ceiling fan – To generate a breeze during the warmer months, ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise. Turn them clockwise in the cooler months. Hint: Simply flip the switch that is typically located on the fan base!
4. Look for indications of shifting or cracks in the foundation – Look for any cracks or bulges in the exterior concrete and basement walls that might be signs of settling or water damage.
   Tip: Mark the ends of any cracks with a pencil and track their growth over time.
5. Examine and clean the screens and windows – Clean the window panes and look for any holes in the screens. In addition to lowering energy efficiency, damaged screens let pests in.
   Tip: For streak-free windows, use a microfiber cloth and a solution of dish soap and water.