Whether you’re a first-time homeowner, or maybe your second, taking care of your home is all part of the deal. Everyone knows maintaining your home isn’t just about keeping it looking good… it’s also about ensuring your family’s safety – which includes protecting it from pests. Long-term fixes are great, but regular upkeep goes a long way in creating (and keeping) a pest-free, energy-efficient, and secure home.
Here are 7 essential home maintenance tips every homeowner should be doing throughout the year:
1. Change Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries
Safety first! Be sure to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors once or twice a year. These devices are essential for protecting your family from unseen dangers. A good rule of thumb is to check them when you change your clocks for daylight savings time. And at the least, put a recurring reminder in your phone so you never miss it or forget about it (just in case daylight savings ever does go away).
2. Consider Upgrading Your Insulation
Did you know that properly sealed and insulated homes are not only more energy-efficient but also less inviting to pests? Gaps in insulation can serve as entry points for rodents and insects like centipedes, crickets, millipedes, and stinkbugs. Energy-efficient insulation can also save you up to 15% on your energy bills. Depending on when your home was built, it may be worth upgrading your insulation to keep your home warmer in the winter, keep you cooler in the summer, save you money, and help you stay pest-free all year long.
3. Clean Your Gutters
Clogged gutters can lead to water damage and attract pests like carpenter ants, mosquitoes, and even termites. Cleaning your gutters at least twice a year, in the springtime and when all the fall leaves have fallen, can prevent water buildup and ensure proper drainage. Water build up can lead to leaks and damage, too, so you’re keeping the inside of your home as safe as the outside with this one. But be careful. Falls from ladders can be serious. Consider gutter guards or at least have a handy man do the job for you.
4. Schedule HVAC Maintenance
Your HVAC system doesn’t just regulate your home’s temperature; it also plays a role in managing moisture levels. Too much humidity can attract pests like silverfish and cockroaches. Schedule regular HVAC maintenance to keep your system running efficiently and prevent moisture buildup. Often, emergency repairs are more expensive, so routine maintenance can actually save you money in the long run. (And remember to change those filters!).
5. Inspect Your Screens and Foundation
Ants, mice, and spiders can slip into your home through the tiniest cracks and openings. It is best to check your windows, doors, and foundation for possible entry points during the spring and fall. Repair any screen holes, seal gaps with caulk, and add weather stripping where necessary. And have your pest control company install a barrier around your foundation to close off the naturally occurring gap that can form there. Even a small opening can be all pests need to find their way inside.
6. Spring Cleaning and Fall Clean Out
Pests love cluttered spaces where they can hide and nest. Declutter areas like basements, attics, and garages, and store items in plastic bins with tight-fitting, air-tight lids. Keeping these areas tidy and neat makes your space not only less stressful, but less appealing to pests. Moths, Cockroaches, boxelder beetles, and earwigs like to hide in nooks and crannies and excessive clutter gives them plenty of places to choose. In addition, lots of clutter will make it harder to find if there are pests hiding. And remember the age-old rule: hold the item in your hand. If it doesn’t bring you joy, get rid of it!
7. Check On Your Dryer Vent and Chimney
Dryer vents can be an open invitation for small wildlife, like rats, birds, and squirrels. Regularly inspect and secure vent covers to block pests from sneaking into your home while still allowing proper airflow. Don’t forget to check your chimney too; installing a cap or screen can prevent birds and other wildlife from nesting inside – and eventually making their way into your living space. In addition, a bird’s nest blocking your chimney can cause a serious fire hazard and you could even set the nest itself on fire! This one helps the birds as well as your home.
Owning a home comes with plenty of responsibilities, but a little yearly maintenance goes a long way in keeping it safe, efficient, and pest-free. By tackling these simple tasks, you can protect your home while giving yourself peace of mind. Many of these tips are free if not low-cost and all will keep your wallet happier in the long run. So, don’t forget these simple ways to keep your home safer and happier.