Maintenance to Expect as a Homeowner: 4 Areas to Not Ignore
If you’ve previously been a renter before, then owning a home is probably a whole new world for you. In a rented property, any issues resulted in the landlord being called and letting someone into the property to perform repairs, but now it all falls on you. And if you don’t take care of the maintenance, it will end up costing you more in repairs and replacements in the long run. So, home maintenance cannot be ignored. In this article: maintenance to expect as a homeowner you will find four areas to focus on to keep on top of things.
Keep an Eye on the Roof
While a good roof should be expected to last at least a couple of decades, it’s also true that an ignored one won’t last anywhere near as long. With the high winds in some states and falling branches from nearby trees, debris could land on the roof and create damage. Small animals and other unexpected things could occur too, so just because the roof is out of sight, ensure that it’s not out of mind. Any significant issues with a roof require the assistance of exterior home contractors to set them right. They will have seen it all before and can take care of it.
Don’t Sit on Poor Plumbing
When the plumbing functions poorly, water may flow in slowly or, worse still, flow out of sinks, shower stalls, or the bath at a slower than acceptable speed. Things like this can happen due to hair, flaky skin, or the assorted concoction of products we put on our body that may clog up the drainage system. Don’t ignore a sink that drains water less quickly. Use a drain cleaner to free up any partial blockages. Toilet blockages can also use a plunger and some household cleaner to resolve. However, in more serious situations or repeated ones that won’t clear, a qualified plumber should be called out.
Keep on Top of the Gardening
Gardens quickly become overgrown and unsightly when they’re not well kept. The backyard will then be far less attractive to spend time there during the summer. If it’s already not well maintained by the previous owner, it will require a few weekends toiling away there to make some headway. Whether that’s mowing the lawn, pulling up the weeds, and replanting to help the plants flourish in enriched soil, it all helps.
Repair Damage to Hardwood Flooring
Any major damage from dropping something heavy on a hardwood floor is going to make a mark. It may even have made more than just a mark and create permanent floor damage. The previous owner could have strategically covered over it by using a rug, but is it now easily visible? Either way, don’t leave it forever to remedy because the damage could worsen. At some stage, resurfacing the flooring may be necessary. If it’s sufficiently old and marked up, then that could be the only way to bring back the natural grain and remove any noticeable markings.
Maintenance issues add up quickly with a home. It’s necessary to set aside regular time to tackle them and knock them out. That way, they don’t begin to overwhelm you. We hope that you’ve found some useful tips after reading maintenance to expect as a homeowner.