There is truth to the old adage that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” – especially when it comes to taking care of your home. A regular schedule of preventative home maintenance can thwart a host of expensive problems down the road and keep your house in tip-top condition. Preventative maintenance is also far easier than waiting until something breaks and then having to scramble to get it fixed.
MOISTURE
One of the most important things in preventative home maintenance is to keep moisture away from your house:
- Install rain gutters if you don’t already have them. This will direct water away from the foundation and can help prevent a cracked slab.
- Clear leaves from your rain gutters at least twice a year to avoid water backup that can rot wood gutters and rust those made of sheet metal.
- If gutter drainpipes are clogged, try to flush debris down them with a hose. If that doesn’t work, use a plumber’s snake to free the debris from the gutter drainpipe.
- Adjust your lawn sprinklers to ensure that you don’t water your house along with your grass and garden. Wet wood can rot and attract dampwood termites.
- Inspect the washers on your hose and outdoor faucet periodically and replace them if needed to prevent dripping water from soaking the foundation of your home.
- Go up in the attic to check for roof leaks every several months to prevent water damage to ceilings and walls from rain.
- Use the bathroom fan or open a window when you take a shower to prevent condensation that encourages mold and mildew growth.