Your house is your largest financial investment. With routine maintenance, you can preserve the value of your home. Here are a few ways you can be a better homeowner this year.
Save Water to Be a Better Homeowner
Using too much water is wasteful and expensive. If you have a septic system, excess water use puts unnecessary strain on it. Replace your sprinklers in garden areas and flower beds with soaker hoses. Many people use a collector tank for rainwater to store rain runoff from your roof to then water your yard. Replace old faucets and showerheads with low-flow models to use less water at home. Turn the faucet off when shaving and brushing your teeth, instead of letting it run.
Inspect Sinks and Tub Drains
Pay attention to your sink and tub drains if you notice they aren’t draining quickly. There could be a buildup of debris causing a blockage. You can use a pipe snake to try to pull out whatever is causing the clog. If that doesn’t work, pour a half-cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a half-cup of vinegar. Wait 15 minutes and then run the hot water. You can also use a drain cleaning product for tough blockages, but if you do this too often it can cause pipe corrosion.
Be a Better Homeowner By Joining a Neighborhood Watch Group
Get to know your neighbors so you can all watch out for one another. Try to get as many neighbors as possible together to make a neighborhood watch group, or join an existing one. Work with your local law enforcement to uphold the laws of your community. Always watch out for neighbors’ homes and report any suspicious activity.
Check Your Detectors
Check all of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly to make sure they are working. Most smoke detectors last ten years, while CO detectors last about six years. Replace the batteries at least twice a year.
Clean the Gutters
Gutters can get blocked with all sorts of debris. It’s best to clean them at the beginning of spring and fall. Clogged gutters cause major problems for homes, so be a better homeowner by remembering to complete this task.
Boost Curb Appeal
Make sure your home has great curb appeal. This means keeping up your yard and the exterior of your home. Pressure wash your siding when it starts looking dirty. Trim overgrown trees, bushes, and shrubs. Plant flowers and put down mulch. Make sure your grass is always cut and weeds are pulled for a clean look.
Being a good homeowner means preserving the value of your home with simple upkeep. Take pride in your home and keep a regular home maintenance schedule.
Reifsteck Home Inspections serves Champaign, Illinois with home inspection services. Contact us to schedule an appointment.