Regular Home Maintenance You May Be Overlooking 

Buying a house can easily be one of the biggest investments you make in your lifetime. It’s a big deal and something that you should do everything in your power to protect at all costs!

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Whether it’s a brand new home or one that was built 50 years ago, there will be regular maintenance that should never be overlooked even if you think everything is in perfect working order. There’s a lot to know about maintaining a home, and it helps to become skilled in basic home maintenance, so you know how to prevent bigger problems from popping up unexpectedly.

Check Your Water Heater 

A water heater should last you approximately 8 to 12 years. If you have no idea how old your current one is, you should know the signs that it may be time to replace it. Some signs to look out for include:

* Rust-colored water
* Strange metallic smells
* Lack of hot water
* Odd noises
* Leaks

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The good news is that if your current water heater is experiencing some issues, but isn’t that old, it can likely be repaired. You’ll want to go with an experienced company that offers San Diego water heater repair to receive the best quality work. To extend the life of your water heater, you’ll want to perform a complete flush of the water heater tank, which prevents corrosion and rust.

Maintain Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system is another very important part of your home, and replacing it can be very costly. You’ll want to do everything you can to extend the life of the system. Make sure all leaks are sealed so your system doesn’t have to work extra hard trying to keep your home cool. It’s also essential to clean or replace the filters every three months. Every six months, you’ll want to check the fan, the belts, and the bearings. Clean the blades and make sure they’re going in the right direction and align the belts. Belts that are too loose can cause more wear and tear.

Photo By: Mia Rao Design

Seal the Drafty Windows 

Chances are, if you feel a draft, the seals on your windows are broken. Sealing drafty windows is something that can easily be done for very little money. During the colder months, drafts are easily noticeable and can end up running your energy bill because your heat needs to work extra hard. To create a new seal, first scrape away the loose glazing and caulk. Then you’ll want to add new glazing and caulk. During winter months, you can weatherstrip any drafty windows.

Inspect Home for Possible Pests 

Pests can end up costing a fortune in home repairs, especially if they’re not dealt with in a timely manner. The most common signs to look out for include evidence of nesting, pest droppings, physical damage to structures, grease marks, and damaged plants. If you believe you do have a pest problem, you need to know your options. You don’t always need to rely on harmful pesticides as your first choice. One thing that you can do is make sure they do not have a food source. You can also seal cracks and openings located along the baseboards to keep them out of your house.

If you’re new to homeownership, it may seem overwhelming to try and remember everything about keeping the house maintained. There is definitely a lot to learn, but the internet can be your best friend in terms of DIY home maintenance tips. Even if you think you have a general idea of what it takes to maintain a home, there can easily be things you overlook. It’s good to make a checklist and determine how often you need to do certain things around the house. Make a point to write it down on your calendar so you don’t forget.