5 Home Maintenance Tasks You’re Forgetting to Do, According to Home Inspectors

Your home is your biggest investment, and that means you want to make sure it stays in good shape. Even if you hire out most of the work, there are certain maintenance tasks you can do to keep your home in shape and protect its value over time. Here are the five most important home maintenance tasks that many homeowners often neglect, according to real estate experts at HomeAdvisor.

1) Adjust Your Thermostat

You can save a lot of money on your energy bill by simply adjusting your thermostat. In the winter, set it to 68 degrees and in the summer, set it to 78 degrees. And when you’re not home, or asleep, bump it up a few degrees higher. You can also save money by using a programmable thermostat. These devices automatically adjust the temperature in your house depending on whether you are home or away. For example, if you work from 8am-4pm during the weekdays but don’t want to come home to an overheated house after work, a programmable thermostat will automatically adjust the temperature while you are gone.

2) Have Regular Furnace and Air Conditioner Checks

Fall and spring are the best times to have your furnace and air conditioner checked by a professional. This will help ensure that your units are running efficiently and won’t break down when you need them the most.

Home inspectors say that many people forget to do this simple task, which can end up costing them a lot of money in the long run.

So make sure you schedule regular maintenance checks for your HVAC system! Not only will it keep your home comfortable all year round, but it’ll also save you time and money in the future.

Make Sure Your Smoke Detectors Are Working: It’s so easy to get caught up with work or family life that sometimes we forget about something as basic as checking our smoke detectors regularly. However, it’s important to remember because according to home inspectors, one third of homes without working smoke detectors had a fire last year. Having functioning smoke detectors is crucial for preventing fires from happening in the first place!

3) Check the Vent Covers

Home inspectors say one of the most commonly overlooked maintenance tasks is checking and cleaning vent covers. This is important because clogged vents can cause all sorts of problems, from decreased air flow to increased utility bills. Plus, it’s a quick and easy fix that anyone can do! Here’s how

To check if your vent covers are clogged, simply use a vacuum cleaner attachment to remove any loose dust or debris from them. If you see spider webs inside your vents, that’s another sign they need extra attention. If there’s a lot of dust around your house – but no spiders in sight – then you likely have an airflow problem that needs professional help. A professional HVAC technician will be able to identify where airflow issues exist and quickly repair them before they become bigger problems down the road..

4) Flush Out the Hot Water Heater

If you have a gas water heater, annually flush out the unit to remove any sediment that’s built up inside. This simple maintenance task will prolong the life of your water heater and improve its efficiency. Plus, it’s easy to do: just attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the unit and open the valve until water starts flowing out.

5) Keep Your Faucets in Working Order

One of the most important home maintenance tasks you can do is keep your faucets in working order. This means making sure they’re not leaking and that the washers are replaced regularly. If you have a leaky faucet, it’s not only wasting water, but it can also lead to water damage in your home. Home inspectors say that many homeowners forget about their faucets until there’s a problem. So make sure to check them regularly and take care of any issues right away.