Here’s your annual home maintenance checklist - do these things to keep your home well-maintained all year round

In maintaining your home, you’ll need to undertake certain tasks monthly while others are best checked off annually. This article is here to give you a comprehensive checklist on what these annual tasks are, including the best ways to go about carrying them out.

If you’ve read so far, then let’s get right into it.

1. Inspect roof

Would your home really be a home without a roof? We’re guessing not. That shows just how critical a roof is to your home and so, it should be adequately maintained. Inspecting your roof annually will ensure that nick potential issues in the bud before they escalate. Here are a few ways to go about inspecting your roof:

1.1 Take a look at the roof structure

To ensure there are no underlying problems with your roof, look for any signs of damage to the roof structure. 

1.2 Look for damaged or missing shingles

If you have a shingle roof, i.e., a roof that is made with typically flat and thin rectangular tiles (shingles), then you’ll want to check for shingles that are cracked, askew or missing, and have them replaced.

1.3 Inspect flashing

Flashing or weather proofing is usually done on your roof to prevent the passage of water into the structure, and when inspecting your roof, you’ll need to ensure that its flashing is intact.

2. Check up on your cooling system

Knowing how hot it can be in the country, you’ll want to make sure that your air-conditioning system is at its best by doing the following:

2.1 Test the system

You can do this by turning on the AC and checking to make sure that it’s cooling effectively. Also, listen to know if the AC is making any unusual noises. 

2.2 Check the refrigerant levels

A professional can help you check this out and refill the refrigerant if necessary.

2.3 Clean the AC unit

Wipe away any dust or debris that has collected around the exterior AC unit.

3. Inspect the plumbing

You can imagine how problematic it will be if something goes wrong with the plumbing in your home. Don’t give that any chance to happen and do these:

3.1 Look for leaks

Areas under sinks and around appliances are particularly notorious for this, so be sure to pay attention to them, and also take a look at all visible pipes to ensure they are neither leaking nor damaged.

3.2 Check the water heater

You’ll want to make sure that there are no leaks, noises coming from the heater, and that there are no signs of rust. It’s also a great idea to flush the water heater’s tank to take out sediment build up. 

3.3 Test water pressure

Ensure the water pressure in your home is within the normal range. If it’s not, then that is likely to be a sign of a leak or blockage. 

3.4 Clean your drains

A drain cleaner, or a natural mix of baking soda and vinegar, will keeps your drains clear and unclogged.

4. Inspect your electrical system

A faulty electrical system is a safety hazard and so it’s important to make sure that every component of the system is functioning properly. You can check this out in the following ways:

4.1 Check your outlets and switches

You’ll see that an outlet is showing potential damage when it has scorch marks, or is making buzzing sounds. 

4.2 Check electrical panel

Consider hiring a professional electrician to inspect your electrical panel annually and ensure there are no signs of damage in it.

5. Take care of your home’s exterior

Just as the exterior shields you from weather elements, it also faces these sometimes harsh weather elements. So, take care of the exterior of your home by checking the windows and doors, and even power-washing to get rid of mildew, dirt, and stains.

5.1 Take care of your home’s interior

As a follow-up to the previous point, you can’t take care of the outside without also taking care of the inside. You can do this in the following ways:

5.2 Check walls and ceilings

Be on the lookout for cracks, mold, and water stains. Ensure to address all spotted issues immediately.

5.3 Check for pests

Pests can damage wood and sometimes even pose a health hazard. Be sure to reach out to a pest control professional if necessary.

5.4 Test smoke detectors

It is important to ensure that they are fully functional, and if necessary, make sure to replace the batteries.

6. Inspect safety equipment

All the safety equipment in your home should be in good order, so be on the lookout for the following:

6.1 Emergency kits

Make sure your first aid supplies and other necessary items are efficient and accessible, in case of an emergency.

6.2 Security system

Test your security cameras and alarms and make sure that they are functioning properly. 

6.3 Fire extinguishers

Check to ensure that your fire extinguishers are not damaged or expired.

By completing this checklist, you can be sure that your home will be in fantastic condition. So, going by the premise that you have conducted your annual home maintenance checklist and are in need of artisans to rectify potential issues you have found, be it plumbing issues, electrical issues, or roofing issues, Daibau.ng is here for you. We have a vibrant network of the best and most qualified artisans, and in order to reach them, all you have to do is give us a call.

We are looking forward to hearing from you! You are just a call away from a well-maintained home.