Home maintenance tips, service, checklists and DIY Repairs to protect your home and wallet. Following some simple inexpensive annual home maintenance tips can save you money and aggravation. If you are not a repair person, google handyman services and you are sure find a handyman willing to help. Home ownership has perks and privileges. It also requires a lot of maintenance. Stay on top of the maintenance and your life will be much easier.

Home Maintenance Tips, Check for Water LeaksIt

• Either you or a handyman should conduct a thorough inspection for water leaks.
• Look for water spots on your ceiling, check around toilets, and the hot water heater.
• Inspect underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks for any signs of moisture.
• You or your handyman should look behind your refrigerator and check the water line to the ice maker.
• If you have a basement make sure to give that a good once over. Sometimes water can penetrate around the foundation and enter the basement.
• If you or your handyman suspect a water leak, you should locate your water meter in the yard. Remove the cover and look for the little red arrow in the meter. If it is spinning this is sign of a water leak. I should mention that all water should be off in the house before checking the water meter. In case of a water leak, turn the water off to the house at the main water shut-off valve.

Home Maintenance Services

• Create and review your fire escape plan with your family.
• Make sure there are working night lights at the top and bottom of all stairs.
• You should have your heating system checked by a professional each year. How often you should change your air filters varies on your living conditions. Air filter manufactures suggest every 30-60 days.
• Protect your home from frozen pipes. Home Depot and Lowe’s sell a type of foam (cheap) that you can wrap around your exposed pipes to help insulate them.
• Inspect and remove any dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Make sure to replace old batteries.
• Inspect the caulking around your bathroom fixtures so water cannot seep into your sub-flooring.
• Make sure your bathroom fixtures to keep water from leaking into your sub-flooring.
• Have a certified chimney sweep, clean the flues, and inspect the fireplace damper.
• Close the fire damper when the fireplace is not in use to avoid heat loss.
• Remove bird nests from chimney flues and outdoor electrical fixtures.

Create a Maintenance Checklist to Save You Money

• Test your emergency generator and make sure you have fresh batteries in your flashlight.
• For safety reasons, check all window and door locks for proper operation. Windows that can be opened by breaking the glass are a less effective deterrent to criminals. Check with the hardware store for window lock alternatives.
• All exterior doors should have deadbolt locks.
• Empty all remaining fuel in gas-powered lawn equipment by running until gone.
• Georgia is number two in the nation for termites, so get a termite bond. If you do not have one get an annual termite inspection.
• How long has it been since you had a septic tank inspection? Do not wait until it backs up. Everything you need and want to know about to care for your septic tank system.

These simple home maintenance tips will benefit you and your family and have you prepared for the winter months. If I can be of service whether you are home buying or selling your home you can contact Chuck Tanner.