Keeping Your Clarksville Home Looking Great With Basic Maintenance

Home maintenance isn’t just about aesthetics: Regular cleaning can reduce unnecessary wear and help you cut back on unnecessary service calls. Whether you feel the urge to perform some Spring Cleaning, are trying to maintain a New Year’s resolution, or are simply in the mood to focus on your Clarksville home, it’s always a good time to check some maintenance elements off your checklist. Here are some simple home maintenance steps to perform on a regular basis.

Rain Gutters

Rain gutters are an essential part of your roof, and they need to be cleaned regularly. At least once a year, make sure to use your hose and wash away any leaves that have collected. Make sure your gutters properly drain, as blockage can damage your gutters and lead to early wear on your roof. Make sure to note if your water pools anywhere after it’s been drained, to look for signs of staining or wood rot.

Inspect Your Shingles

Similar to gutters, shingles provide important protection for your roof. Take a look at your shingles on occasion, especially if you’ve experienced heavy winds or snow. Even seemingly minor shingle damage can lead to rot and potential water incursions in your home, which can cause mold. Shingle replacements are far cheaper than the problems damaged or missing shingles can cause.

Clean Windows and Screens

Windows generally don’t need to be cleaned frequently, but the process is fairly simple and serves as an easy way to upgrade your home’s look. Screens, however, can become damaged due to neglect. Take out your screens, give them a thorough wash, and patch any damage that’s occurred. Before reinstalling them, clean your window frames while they’re easy to access.

Set Your HVAC Filter Schedule

Air conditioning and furnace filters need regular replacement. Look in your manuals to find out how frequently replacements are needed, and make sure to mark your calendar to ensure you have a replacement filter ready when it’s needed. If you’re overdue for a replacement, make sure to pick up a filter promptly to ensure your HVAC system is operating efficiently and isn’t wearing down prematurely.

Clean and Inspect Your Deck and Fences

Wooden decks and fences need to be cleaned on occasion to avoid staining and rot. In addition, proper sealing is often required for pressure-treated wood. Look out for signs of early rot so you can address the problem as soon as possible. In most cases, resealing is fairly easy to perform on your own, and it can lead to a much longer deck lifespan.

Flush Your Water Heater

Over time, sediment builds up at the bottom of your hot water heater, reducing its contact with the heating element and potentially causing water flow problems. Make sure to flush your water heater at least once a year, and be sure to follow safe guidelines to avoid scalding and other injuries.

Oil Your Garage Door Tracks

Most of us have experienced a squeaky garage door at some point. Fortunately, the solution is simple: Oil the tracks. Doing so helps you avoid annoying squeaking, but it also makes for easier operation and helps prevent further problems from developing.

Repair Your Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping tends to wear down over time, so make sure to inspect it regularly. Finding out your weatherstripping is compromised during a rainstorm can leave you scrambling to mitigate damage, and damaged weatherstripping can raise your heating and cooling bills significantly. Fortunately, it’s generally easy to replace.

Touch Up Your Walls

Chipped paint and minor scratches generally don’t cause damage, but they do diminish the look of your home. Check for signs of damage and perform touch-up work as needed. If necessary, set aside some time to repaint your walls.

Inspect Fireplace Dampers

Because fireplaces tend to go unused during warmer months, they become a popular place for animals. Birds, in particular, find fireplace dampers to be a great place to nest. Before using your fireplace, make sure to inspect the damper and remove any debris that’s accumulated.

Tree Trimming

Tree branches inevitably grow, and branches that contact your home or wires can cause a number of problems. Set a schedule to check out your tree branches on occasion, as they’re often easier to trim well before they reach your home. Note that tree trimming using a ladder is notoriously dangerous, so consider calling an expert and be extra cautious around power lines.

Scheduling home maintenance is important, but there’s plenty you can do on your own. Set your seasonal cleaning schedule and stick with it to enjoy an attractive home and to keep your Tennessee home in excellent condition.