Creating a Home Maintenance Schedule

Making an Effective Home Maintenance Routine

Organizing a proper home maintenance schedule is one of the best steps towards making your home a safe and comfortable living space. This plan should include both short and long-term maintenance tasks that can help prevent costly repairs and ensure your home remains in good condition.  By following a regular home maintenance schedule, you can be sure that your home is in top shape for yourself and your family.

Rewards of a Home Maintenance Schedule

Having an effective home maintenance routine provides numerous advantages. Some of these rewards include:

• Catch costly issues before they become even more expensive.
• Reduce chances of hazardous conditions.
• Maintain a higher property value.
• Improve air quality in the home.
• Avoid having to deal with emergency repairs.

How to Get Started With a Home Maintenance Schedule

For those who have never created a home maintenance plan before, it might seem like an overwhelming task. However, with some forethought and planning, it will feel like second nature with time. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Start by listing all the essential maintenance activities. These tasks can range from easy, regular tasks (like checking air filters or smoke detectors) to larger renovation projects that can be done over time (like remodeling a bathroom or painting an exterior wall).
• Figure out when you should perform each task. As you figure it out, make sure to consider following timeframes for each task: weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannual and annual.
• Prioritize the tasks. Knowing which tasks must be done now and which can wait until later is critical.
• Get help from a professional. Professional home inspectors can provide valuable insight and help you create an effective home maintenance routine.
• Document every single task. By doing this, you can easily track any repairs and renovations.
• Keep your maintenance schedule up-to-date. As the times change and technological advances and trends come into play, so should the maintenance schedule.

What Should Be Part of a Home Maintenance Schedule?

Generally, a home maintenance schedule should include both inspection and repair tasks. Inspection tasks need to be done on a regular basis. Repair tasks, on the other hand, should be done when necessary or when it is cost-effective. When considering the tasks to be included in the home maintenance schedule, keep the following in mind:

• Check for water damage. Make sure to check for any water damage around the house and to the walls, windows, and doors. Fix any leaks as soon as possible to avoid issues in the future.
• Inspect for pests. Take steps to get rid of any pests before they cause more damage.
• Repair any plumbing. This can include fixing leaks or clogs and checking the water pressure and hot water temperature control.
• Inspect the roof. Locate any roof damage like missing shingles, loose nails, worn sealant, loose siding and more.
• Check gutters. Inspect the gutters and make sure that they don’t have any clogs or leaks.
• Test the HVAC system. Have your air conditioning and heating systems checked and serviced regularly.

Conclusion

Establishing a good home maintenance schedule is one of the best steps you can take towards maintaining a safe and comfortable living space. Adhere to your routine, prioritize tasks, and keep it updated. With time and effort, you’ll have a successful plan that will keep your home looking great for years to come.