Face it- nobody wants to do home maintenance. The result of this is usually the task being pushed off for weeks, or even months until the task finally gets done or is completely forgotten. What most homeowners do not realize, however, is that putting off some of these tasks can have really negative effects on your home (and even your pocketbook). Here are some of the home maintenance tasks that you should not be avoiding, as well as what they really could be costing you.
Cleaning the Gutters
Nobody likes climbing up on a ladder to remove all of the leaves and other debris that may be in your gutters. However, it is a critical move if you want to protect your home from potential harm, including mosquito infestation, growth of mold and mildew, and the breakdown of your foundation, siding, and more. As you are cleaning, also take the opportunity to check for damage to the gutters and downspouts. Proper rain removal from the home is critical to its overall health.
Cleaning or Changing Your Air Filters
When you don’t properly maintenance your air conditioning and heating systems, you drastically cut back on their efficiency. This is due to clogged air filters. If a decrease in efficiency wasn’t enough to make you want to change your air filters at least once a month, then consider the dirt and debris that sticks to filter. It gets dirtier with time and the excess could be going into the air that your family breathes in.
Touching up the Paint on the Outside of Your House
Some homeowners view the pain on the outside of their home as purely a way to improve the appearance of their home. This, however, is not the case. A solid paint job keeps the materials under the paint protected, including the siding of your home. If you choose the right type of paint, you can help prevent water and wind damage from the elements, as well as mold, mildew, and insect infestations. When it comes to a full paint job, the length of time will vary based on the type of siding you have, the quality of your last paint job, and the weather in the area where you live. Touching up any missing areas of paint is something that should be done annually, and doing this well will let you hold off on a total paint job for a while.
Cleaning and Inspecting Your Roof
Have you noticed visible black streaks on your roof? This is usually a form of algae that eats away at shingles and may eventually be blown onto your neighbor’s roofs as well. The only way to prevent this is with regular roof cleaning, which may be a job better left to professionals. Another important thing to do while cleaning is inspection. If you do the job yourself, check for cracks, holes, and any signs of animals or bugs. Any openings can leave you susceptible to water damage, leaks, mold, mildew, and more.
Does this list get you motivated to get started on your home maintenance? Even if it doesn’t necessarily make you want to get up and do something, hopefully it has put into perspective what avoiding these home maintenance projects could be costing you. If you need encouragement, set aside one weekend each month for home improvement and reward yourself when you follow through. If you still can’t do this, at least spend the money to hire a professional to clean and inspect the roof, paint your house, or a gutter expert, like the ones at Aerotech.
Lautaro Martinez is a homeowner and freelance writer who contributes DIY projects and home improvement related articles. If you would like to learn more about Lautaro, check out his Google+ profile.
