How To Keep Your Home and Windows In Tip Top Shape

Your home is your castle. It’s your safe haven from the outside world, and the place where you can be yourself. Naturally you would want your sanctuary to be a blissful nirvana, but unfortunately it will most likely cause you some worry from time to time. Leaking faucets, blocked drains, squeaky doors, drafty windows — these are just some of the things that can cause you grief. But like death and taxes, maintenance is an unavoidable part of home ownership. Here are a few suggestion to keep your home and windows in tip top shape.

You should carry out regular inspections of your home. Some things need to be inspected monthly, like fire extinguishers and drain holes. Your HVAC filters should be checked and cleaned every month.

Spring is a good time to have your air conditioning units inspected and serviced, since you will be needing them to work flawlessly in summer. You can also use this season to clean your gutters, and inspect the exterior of your home.

Summer and fall are the seasons to carry out the last major external maintenance tasks before winter arrives. If you need any external painting done, the warmer months would be the perfect time to do it, since extreme cold, rain and snow will make this task more difficult.

Taking care of all your home’s major maintenance tasks before the cold weather arrives is essential to ensure that you are cozy and comfortable during winter, without adding to the misery that often accompanies the long cold.

You should inspect your internal and external walls for gaps and cracks. If the caulking has deteriorated, it would need to be patched up. Those gaps can allow moisture in, which can cause water damage to drywall and wood panels. But even more worryingly, it can be an invitation for termites, bees and wasps to enter and make themselves at home.

Window maintenance is definitely something you can’t overlook. Cleaning your windows regularly is essential so that you can keep a clear view of the outside world, but this in itself is not enough. You need to lubricate catches and hinges periodically to keep them moving freely and prevent squeaking. You also need to inspect window frames and seals thoroughly, as any deterioration can cause bigger problems. Not only can faulty windows contribute to higher heating bills due to less efficient thermal insulation, it can also allow moisture to cause damage to your window frames.

A lot of home maintenance tasks and repairs can be carried out at very low cost by yourself, if you have a knack for DIY. These tasks include replacing door knobs, or internal painting, or simple drain unclogging jobs. But more complicated jobs, such as replacing or repairing windows, and repainting and weatherproofing your roof, are best carried out by professionals. Doing it yourself may save you money in the short term, but in the long run it may prove more expensive, because the professionals will most likely do a better job that lasts longer, and they will often guarantee their work.