Some say that owning a home nowadays is a liability rather than an investment. This belief may have stemmed from spending too much on home repairs and maintenance that are often not included in a homeowner’s insurance. However, this should not be something that new homeowners must worry about since there are tons of money-saving tips that they can do so they don’t have to spend too much on repairs. If you’ve rented previously, you would be really surprised by all the costs of maintenance that you now have to shoulder.
Fortunately, not all home maintenance tasks are expensive. So, if you don’t want to waste money on repairs, here are some essential home maintenance that doesn’t cost too much.
Do an Energy Audit
One of the best ways of saving money on electric bills is by doing an energy audit. Energy audits will let you know which areas in your home have the highest consumption of energy. You can do an energy audit on your own. There are tons of step-by-step guides that you can watch to help you out in this process.
Add Insulation
If you still don’t have them, adding insulation on your crawl space, attics, and HVAC system can save you tons of money when winter comes in. You can check this when you do your energy audit. Often, older homes don’t have these energy-saving methods.
Clean Your Air-Conditioning Units
One of the best ways to maintain an energy-efficient home is to get your air-conditioning units cleaned regularly. It is probably one of the things that you can do on your own. Most A/C service technicians would come once a year, but cleaning it more frequently than that is probably better in prolonging the lifespan of your unit.
Clear Debris from Your Gutters and Downspouts
Regularly cleaning out your gutters and downspouts is another tested way that will allow you to save money repairing broken gutters. It is necessary that your gutters can do their jobs efficiently. A functional gutter system is required to direct the water away from your house’s foundation. If you have clogged drains, it could damage your crawl space or basement, plus it can also cause mold. Clean them at least two to three times a year. While cleaning them out, check if they are still properly attached to your home. If you notice that they are worn out or damaged, you might consider checking out some gutters for sale to ensure that your home stays protected.
Inspect Your Roof
If you bought an old home, check if there is a need for you to replace your roof. Often, the roofing system is changed every ten years. Inspect your roof if there are missing shingles. If there is a need to repair it, do it immediately. You don’t want to deal with more costly repairs if water starts leaking in your home.
Deep Clean Your Washing Machine
While washing machines clean out our dirty clothes, they need regular maintenance as well. Cleaning the washing machine is especially necessary for front-loading washing machines since water can gather within the door seals as they are commonly exposed during washing. This area can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Check for Toilet Leaks
If you are remodeling your bathroom, make sure to check for leaks. Sometimes, the water can continuously flow from the tank to the toilet. While you’re at it, it would also be best to check for leaks in the faucet.
Sometimes it is easy to put off minor repairs and maintenance at home because they are not yet too disruptive. However, these little repairs can end up costing you a lot of money when left in disrepair. Don’t scrimp on money on these repairs, and you’ll thank us later for sure!
