The Latest

Your new home is more than a financial investment. It is a place, while you and your loved ones reside at that address, where memories will be made, special moments will be celebrated, and holidays will be enjoyed. However this joy that homeowners feel at owning their own property is tempered with the responsibility of maintaining that home so that they and their family can enjoy it for a long while. Fortunately there are routine things you can do to maintain your home. By maintaining your home you are not only protecting a financial investment, but you are also keeping your family safe from the risks involved in not keeping up with these responsibilities. Here are some lists that should be performed at certain times, and what you should do during them. MONTHLY

• Clean all filters related to HVAC and switch out old filters for new ones as necessary
• Inspect all non-charcoal filters and clean excess lint from dryer area
• Ensure that all toilets and sinks work correctly throughout the home

QUARTERLY

• Check for septic and drainage problems like water that stands in your yard for more than a day
• Ensure that water is not backing up into weep holes on the outside of your home’s windows

TWICE PER YEAR

• Have your HVAC serviced in anticipation of either summer or winter temperatures
• Change the smoke detector batteries in any non-hard wired units throughout your home
• Make sure your home’s fire extinguishers are in good working order in case of emergency
• Make sure your basement sump pump is in good working order as it is supposed to be
• Clean the gutters and downspouts around your home and repair any areas that need fixed
• Adjust sprinkler systems, garden hoses, and other outdoor water features for damage

ANNUALLY

• Have your hot water heater drained and refilled, and also check the safety valve for damage
• Inspect your garage door for problem areas that could allow intruders access to your home
• Service all of your family’s lawn and garden equipment so it is ready to be used as needed
• Run a handful of ice cubes and some lemon rinds through your garbage disposal to sharpen and the blades.

There are no two homes that are exactly alike, even in a neighborhood where a large number of homes that share similar features and floor plans. That is why no matter how many homes you owned in the past, your new home may cause you to pose questions about what is necessary to maintain it. The first thing you need to know is that there is no such thing as a stupid question. Secondly, no problem is too small to bring up to your builder. Always keep the warranty work handy in case the problem is something that the builder agreed to cover repairs for when you originally purchased your home. If the warranty has expired, however then you would be required to pay out of pocket.