Course Detail

Course Description

Owning a home is a big responsibility, and the many tasks that come with maintaining it can be daunting. But often, costly repairs can be avoided by paying proactive attention to a few key parts of your home. To help you stay on top of common tasks, here is a home maintenance checklist you should perform monthly:

Check and take precautions for fire and safety equipment

Take precautions to ensure your home is safe and have essentials on hand in case of a storm or other event that causes a power outage. Test your security system to make sure it's working properly. Test and replace batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and check the expiration dates on your fire extinguishers to make sure they can be used in an emergency.

Maintain your landscape

In addition to weekly lawn care, you should tend your flower beds at least once a month during the warmer months. In some situations, weeds such as: B. In flower beds can grow unchecked or dead leaves and debris can accumulate, attracting pests and even posing a fire hazard. Take the time each month to prune and maintain your landscape, keeping everything clean and keeping unwanted pests away.

3. Maintain your kitchen and appliances

For many people, the kitchen is the room in the house where they spend the most time. Food and liquid spills while cooking, preparing and serving food can damage floors and countertops over time. Take the time each month to wipe down your cabinets and remove expired foods from your pantry. Clean your dishwasher according to the manufacturer's recommendations to prevent clogs and leaks, and change your refrigerator's water filter when needed. If your refrigerator has an ice maker or water dispenser, check to see if the hoses between the wall and the refrigerator are pinched or stretched. Also look for signs of leaks or wear.

Clean Wet Areas

Showers, bathrooms, and other damp areas can develop mold, especially if they don't have adequate ventilation. To prevent mold and mildew from growing, scrub bathroom tiles and grout with your favorite cleaning product at least once a month. Always follow product instructions when cleaning and ensure adequate ventilation. Check fittings and pipes for signs of leaks, discoloration or other changes that may indicate wear or corrosion. Check seals around the bottoms of showers, tubs, sinks and toilets and repair as needed.

Check Major Home Systems

Even if the largest systems in your home don't require monthly cleaning or maintenance, it's a good idea to check them for potential problems. Pay special attention to maintaining your HVAC system during the cold season. Replace dirty filters to improve the air quality in your home and make your heating run more efficiently. When fall arrives, turn off outdoor faucets and consider winterizing your water system.

6. Keep an Eye on Your Plumbing 

Checking your plumbing regularly is an important part of home maintenance. Perform a visual inspection and check for signs of damage. This could include discoloration of metal pipes, cracks or kinks in plastic, PEX, or polymer parts, deposits like scale or rust, frayed metal or discoloration of braided inlet hoses. If you notice any of these issues, you should be proactive and replace parts or seek professional help. If necessary, clean slow-moving drains to prevent serious clogs. Make sure your toilet isn't constantly flushing, as doing so can result in more expense and water waste.

7. Check Your Gutters

Gutters and downspouts keep rain and melting snow away from your home and prevent water intrusion. Check your gutters for leaves and other signs of blockages and address any blockages or improper drainage. Call in a professional to clean your gutters or repair any damage. This is especially important as part of your home maintenance in the fall, when leaves can accumulate in your gutters.

8. Stock up on cleaning supplies

It's a good idea to create a list of cleaning supplies for home maintenance and regularly review your inventory. When severe storms are forecast, it can be difficult to find the basic cleaning supplies you need to keep your home clean and your family healthy. Consider stockpiling adequate amounts of cleaning supplies and consumables such as paper products, sponges, cleaning cloths, and liquid or bar soap. A shortage of these supplies during a crisis could disrupt your home maintenance.

 9. Walk the Entire Property

Check seldom-used or seldom-seen areas every month, such as the attic and under raised decks. Look for signs of insects, rodents, rot, leaks, and mold to catch developing problems early. If there are large trees on the property, keep an eye out for signs of weakening or decay. You should also make sure your garage door opener is working properly.

10. Update your home inventory

If you renovate your living space or make significant investments in furniture and appliances, you should update your home inventory for insurance purposes. File receipts, take photos of your new purchases, and contact your insurance agent to discuss renewing your home insurance.

Performing monthly and yearly home maintenance is one way to avoid costly problems that can arise from lack of attention. Home insurance provides protection against unexpected accidents and other unforeseen events. To inquire about homeowners insurance, contact your local independent agent or Travelers Agent.