Triangle Area Real Estate News & Information

Buying your first home is an exciting time, but many new homeowners may not be sure of what maintenance needs to be done and how soon to do it. Unfortunately, unlike buying a car or almost anything else, homes don’t come with owner’s manuals.

To help first-time homeowners, here is a handy checklist of maintenance tasks you should be completing throughout the year:

Every Month

• Replace the air filters - Air filters take dust out of your home, but if you let them get too dirty, it can affect the performance of your furnace or air conditioner.
• Check your fire extinguisher - A fire extinguisher is a must for every kitchen, and they should be professionally certified every few years, according to the instructions on the label. Every month, you should do a visual inspection to make sure it has proper pressure and will work when you need it.
• Test your smoke detectors - It only takes a few seconds, but testing your smoke detectors every month will give you peace of mind.

Every 3-6 Months

• Clean the gutters - Gutters can get clogged with leaves and debris, which can affect your draining and lead to water problems. Clean them out about twice a year. If you don’t like heights, hire someone to do it for you.
• Clean the oven - A dirty oven can lead to poor performance and carbon monoxide, so keep it clean. If you use the self-cleaning feature, follow manufacturer instructions and make sure your home is well-ventilated.
• Inspect the garage door - Your garage door works hard, and it has many moving parts that can wear out. Inspect and maintain it according to manufacturer instructions to keep it running smoothly.

Every Year

• Replace smoke detector batteries - It’s a good idea to replace the batteries in your smoke detector every year, whether they need it or not, to ensure they work properly. Choose a day of the year (New Year’s Day, first day of summer, etc.) to do it so you always remember.
• Tune up mechanicals - This one is not a DIY job. Have a professional technician visit every year to tune up your furnace, air conditioner and water heater to make sure they’re working safely and efficiently.
• Termite inspection - This also requires a professional. Call an exterminator once a year to check your house for termites and other pests, and make sure any prevention systems are still working.

Of course, this is just a partial list. Every house is different and may have slightly different systems and products. When you buy your home, ask the seller, your agent, and your inspector for a complete maintenance checklist, as well as all of the manuals and records for the home’s appliances and systems.

By taking a proactive approach to home maintenance, you can avoid costly repairs later.