As a homeowner, you have a responsibility to keep your property well-kept and safe for your family. Essentially, your home is just a big building where many things could potentially break down or need small repairs. Home maintenance is a necessary part of owning your home and requires special skills and diligence. However, many homeowners tend to panic when they spot an issue. While it’s easy to wonder whether a bad thermocouple or a faulty water heater can tank your property values, having an understanding of home maintenance can help assuage these fears.
Certain home maintenance issues are fairly common. Appliances aren’t built to last forever. Weather can damage your roof or sometimes a wire craps out with your electrics—stuff happens. The best way to combat these issues is to be prepared and do your research when you need to fix a new problem. Not only does this make you a more capable homeowner who can handle gas supply and pilot flame issues with ease, but you also mitigate the risk of spending too much money on unnecessary replacements and repairs. That’s why you should have a working knowledge of common maintenance issues.
HVAC Issues
Your heating and air conditioning are significant for your and your family’s comfort in hot and cold months. Common problems can occur with your furnace and AC. From a leaky gas valve to a bad sensor to a clogged air duct, there will be a few different things to check if you see your heater isn’t working. One of the main causes may be that your thermocouple is having problems. This is the sensor that measures temperatures inside your home. A cheap or broken thermocouple is a possible cause of HVAC issues. Check to see if the electrical current is working or if the pilot light may be broken. Fixing these issues can usually solve your overall HVAC problem.
Roof Repair
Another area that needs maintenance and repairs every so often is the exterior of your home. Your roof does a great job keeping the elements out and protecting you, but it can’t hold up forever. After a bad storm or years of general wear and tear, you may want to call a roofing company to inspect your roof. The last thing you want is leaks or drafts coming into your home because of a faulty roof.
Plumbing Problems
Plumbing is all about keeping your toilets flushing and being sure the sinks can turn on. You may have issues with your pipes or your plumbing for different reasons like leaks, freezing temperatures, or improper water pressure. You can usually fix these common issues with a wrench and some basic knowledge of the pipes. If the DIY method isn’t working, call a plumber to see if they can get things back up and work.
Landscaping/Outdoor Needs
The interior of your home is where you sleep and eat, but the exterior of your home is also an important part of your space. Many people take pride in their yard and the landscaping they’ve done. Taking care of your lawn or redoing your deck is a simple way to maintain your home and keep things looking great.
Electrical Issues
When you flip on a light switch, you expect the light to function. If this isn’t the case, it may be time to dig some more into the issue. Sometimes wires can get disconnected or crap out altogether. See if you can configure things back to normal to make sure all your electrical sockets provide the power you need. This is a necessity within your home to run your appliances and lighting.
