Even if you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of ways to keep your home looking its best without spending too much. Here are economical property maintenance tips for your whole home that will save you both time and money.
Fix Dripping Taps
In most cases, fixing dripping taps is among the top economical property maintenance tips for your whole home. The drip from a tap is often more than just an annoyance; it can end up wasting a lot of water, which needlessly adds to your water bill and septic maintenance costs. A dripping tap usually happens because the rubber washer inside the tap has aged and is no longer working as well as it should. This can be caused by age and chemicals in your water that are causing the plating on the washer to fail, making it brittle or inflexible. Therefore, this means that over time it will start to leak or drip.
The good news is that you can very easily fix this problem by replacing the washer with a new one. These are cheap and easy to find at most hardware stores, often included as part of a tap fitting kit that contains other components required for repairs to taps. You can purchase these kits from most hardware stores or online. Another option is to replace the whole tap fitting with a new one, depending on how old or what type of tap you have. This will save you the hassle of residential foundation repair and get you back to enjoying your tap water.
Control Moisture in the Bathroom
As you are well aware, the bathroom is a high moisture area. Thus, it’s important to understand that this high moisture level can be very destructive, potentially leading to costly repairs down the road if not properly managed. Additionally, high moisture levels in the bathroom can cause mold to grow, leading to health problems. The moisture-sensing equipment available on the market today allows for both of these tasks to be taken care of with ease.
What you may not know is that certain problems in your home can exacerbate mold growth. High humidity levels are one culprit. If this problem persists, it often leads to moisture damage, requiring expensive crawl space mold removal services. Since the bathroom is wet for an extended period throughout the day, maintaining a constant level of moisture control will be very beneficial. You can also use a dehumidifier in each room of your home below grade or within proximity to showers or tubs. This will allow you to maintain moisture control throughout your property, which is one of the most outstanding property maintenance tips to protect your home’s foundation.
Check Your Hot Water System Regularly
Homeowners with a hot water system in their homes should check their systems regularly to avoid missing out on savings. Every year, people waste thousands of dollars on energy bills due to a faulty water heater as indicated by most companies offering well water service. Often, homeowners neglect their hot water systems because they never view this type of maintenance as useful property maintenance tips. Most homeowners focus on hiring companies dealing in window cleaning and carpet cleaning service while neglecting regular hot water system maintenance. For many, the only time they are reminded of the hot water system is when it stops working. There are other causes of high utility bills, but many homeowners do not think about fixing their water heater until it’s too late. It is important to be proactive with this type of maintenance because once the hot water system stops working, it can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs. This is why it is important to regularly inspect the hot water heater in your home so that you can catch issues before they happen. Some of the most common signs that there may be an issue with one’s hot water heater include things like not having enough hot water in the shower or, in general at any given time, longer-than-usual wait times for the water to heat up, or water that smells like rotten eggs.
Keep Outdoor Areas Weed Free
Weeding is a tough job and one that takes some time and energy. However, all of this can be eliminated with the proper use of certain organic weed killers. Each year homeowners spend countless hours fighting weeds in their yards, patios, sidewalks, and driveways only to have them eventually reappear. In addition to wasting time and money on weed removal, homeowners are also exposing themselves to dangerous chemicals as they try to apply various property maintenance tips. It is possible to eliminate the laborious task of weed removal by using natural ingredients that work fast and won’t cause harm to your or your family’s health.
It should be noted that organic weed killers will not kill weeds in one application. It is important to be patient, and it will take time for them to disappear completely. Depending on the type of weed you are trying to kill, it may take weeks or even months. With patience and repeated applications, weeds will be eliminated without exposing anyone to potentially dangerous chemicals. You can also eliminate weed issues with items that can be found in your kitchen pantry, including salt, vinegar, boiling water, and dish soap. Each has its unique method of killing weeds.
Clean Gutters Regularly
Gutters tend to overflow and back up if they aren’t cleaned regularly, causing water damage to the sides of buildings. The best way to maintain gutters is simply by cleaning them out regularly. Besides preventing significant property damage from overflowing gutters, it will also save money in costly repairs that demand the services of a gutter company down the road. If you find that your gutters are overflowing more often than they should be, there’s probably too much debris in the gutter. Chances are it’s catching more water than it can handle and thus overflowing onto your roof and down the walls of your house.
Cleaning gutters is not only good for preventing water damage but also for freeing up all that trapped rainwater that’s supposed to run off into your downspout. One of the useful property maintenance tips is to use a long, sturdy ladder and place it against the side of the house in an area that’s level with the gutter. Then, bend down and scoop the debris out of the gutter by bending at the waist. If this isn’t an option for you because of your age or physical condition, make sure you have a friend nearby to lend a helping hand.
Clean the Pool Filter
Keeping the pool filter clean and operational is one of the most important property maintenance tips for pool owners. Many pool owners assume that they have no need to worry about regular maintenance because their pools are outdoors. This is not the case, and neglecting this area of upkeep can result in a dirty, unappealing pool area as well as potential health risks for you and your family. This doesn’t mean you have to clean it every other day, but you should make a habit of cleaning the filter at least once a month or more if needed.
It is easy to tell when you should clean your filter by looking at the water. If it looks dirty, then it’s time to get out the pool filter cleaning kit. Place the debris bag on the end of your vacuum head and run it over all sides of the filter while pushing down lightly on the top. This will free any debris that is stuck to the pool filter. If you are looking for an easy way to clean out your pool filter without using a vacuum head or a pressure washing machine, simply place the hose into the debris bag and turn it on. The suction of the water will help pull dirt and other particles up through the hose, which will then be caught in the debris bag. This same process can be used with the garden hose as well.
Get Rid of Leaky Roofs
When your roof starts to show signs of wear and tear, it’s time to get a few things squared away: do repairs to the compromised areas and inspect the rest of the roof. It’s also a great time to offer property maintenance tips by inspecting the exterior of your home’s interior. If you have skylights, check for cracks or damage, particularly around the flashing. Don’t forget about your chimney either — you may have damage at the top cap due to water pooling there. The good news is you can get your roof fixed without too much hassle. So if you hear a leak, don’t ignore it.
Get off your ladder and take a look around. If you can identify the culprit area of your roof, get in touch with a professional repair service. Whether you plan to do it yourself or hire someone else, going ahead will help protect your home from further damage. In addition, if the damage is severe, you’ll want to take action before it gets worse. Fortunately, roof repair is easy and inexpensive. If you want to save money, start your roof repair with an inspection. Identify the source of the leak, assess how bad it is, and figure out what you plan to do. Your inspection will likely be pretty easy if there are multiple sources for the leakage or damage.
Keeping Your Front Lawn Looking Tidy
A well-manicured green lawn is the pride of many homeowners. However, as a homeowner, you may be looking for property maintenance tips without compromising your home’s beauty. One way to do this is to adopt a less costly front yard lawn maintenance routine. While this may sound difficult, it can be done with little planning and resourcefulness. It is a good idea to use less expensive lawn care products. A fertilizer, weed killer, and insecticide combination may be all you need for the whole season if you plan well.
The harsh chemicals in weed killers can seep into groundwater, so it’s best to pick an organic, biodegradable product made from natural ingredients. A weed-free lawn is a healthy lawn, so plan to do your part in keeping it free of weeds by removing them when you spot them. You may also wish to cut off the use of a lawnmower when possible. A great way to accomplish this is to switch from a standard square grass shape to a more natural shape for your front yard. This will work great for you if your whole front yard is not square shaped. Natural shapes require less trimming and can allow grass to grow where you need it to do so, such as along the sidewalk or around trees.
Check Your HVAC System Regularly
Keeping your HVAC system in good condition is important for maintaining the comfort of your home, but checking it regularly can also save you money. While you can always hire an HVAC company to inspect your unit, it isn’t expensive or time consuming to do the job yourself. Checking your system regularly is an economical way to keep track of its performance and ensure no problems.
One of the most important property maintenance tips is to check your HVAC system to ensure that it offers excellent heating and cooling service. If either of the filters is dirty, it won’t allow air to pass through as freely and result in poor unit performance. Replacing them can save money on your utility bill, but checking them regularly can also save you money by keeping your HVAC system working at its best. Look for any signs of damage to your unit, especially on the coils. It is also important to check these pieces regularly to ensure no leaks or punctures. If you aren’t properly maintaining your HVAC system, not only will it cost you more money in repairs, but it can also become dangerous.
Keeping your home in good condition not only makes your property more valuable but will pay off in energy savings as well. Adhering to property maintenance tips is the responsibility of every homeowner, and it could be a good idea to get help from a professional.
