Owning a property can be a fun experience, and something that totally changes the way you see yourself. Suddenly, you’re the master of your own castle.
But, of course, it also requires a lot of maintenance. You need to be on top of it constantly to ensure that you always have somewhere safe and clean to live.
Daily tasks are often habits, like cleaning the kitchen. However, annual maintenance requires more focus and deliberate action.
So, which annual maintenance tasks can’t you afford to ignore?
Septic Inspections
If you have a septic tank, you can’t afford to ignore inspections. These are critical for checking sludge levels.
Usually, you can work with specialists who will help you with this. They take a look inside the tank and will then tell you when you need to clean and pump.
Attic Insulation Audit
You’ll also want to check your attic insulation at least once per year. Auditing it ensures that everything is still intact and working as you’d expect.
Pay close attention to things like insulation quality and water ingress. If you notice any dampness, call specialists to fix it immediately.
Foundation Crack Checks
Another annual task is looking for foundation cracks. You need to check you aren’t at risk of subsidence or wall cracking.
Cracks more than a quarter inch are a problem. Furthermore, you might have issues with the foundations if you see cracks on your stairs or your doors have stopped closing properly.
Chimney Sweeping
Chimney sweeping is another annual maintenance task you shouldn’t put off. If you have a natural fire and chimney, you’ll want someone to come in and sort it out for you. Businesses in this industry, like JCS Home Services, also say that the buildup of creosote inside the chimney can be dangerous. Under the right conditions, it can ignite, leading to a chimney fire.
Water Heater Flush
Flushing your water heater once per year is also a good idea. Over time, sediment can build up in the bottom, preventing the heating elements and the unit as a whole from working properly.
When flushing your water heater, make sure you switch off the power and the gas. Then, attach a drain or a hose and flush it until all the water is gone. Again, you can hire specialists to do this for you. They’ll usually provide a better flush by using safe chemicals, like salts.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Of course, you don’t want to forget to clean your dryer vent. These can become bunged up with dust and hairs, leading to a fire risk, of which there are thousands every year.
To solve this problem, remove the lint with a vacuum. It’s a 20-minute job but could keep you much safer.
Test Your Sump Pump
Lastly, make sure you test your sump pump and check it is really working. If you don’t, you could wind up with flooding in your basement, which is dreadful if you have a septic tank nearby. You don’t want to clean up that mess.
