4 Key Home Maintenance Tips for New Homeowners

Maintaining your home keeps its value

Ongoing checks and balances in your new home will not only keep it feeling new and shiny, but save you thousands a year in unexpected maintenance costs. Those small chores and tasks are easy to put off, but can pay off if done regularly.

What happens when life gets busy? Are there tasks or choses that should be prioritized? Although we’d recommend you maintain all aspects of your home consistently, we’ve outlined the must-do home maintenance tips that every new homeowner should know, and will regret if you forget.

Don’t risk a fire – clear your dryer vents

A clogged dryer vent doesn’t only cause inefficiently in the machine, but could start a deadly house fire. The National Fire Protection Association reported in 2014 that an estimated 15,970 home fires were due to dryers or washing machines. The vast majority of those fires (92%) involved dryers.

A clean dryer vent also gives the machine a longer life. If the vent is clogged, the dryer will not run efficiently. It’ll take more cycles to dry your clothes and your dryer will have to work double to achieve the same result of when it was first bought. You’ll end up with a larger electricity bill, and preventable wear and tare on the machine.

Clean refrigerator coils to avoid costly repairs

Refrigerator coils can be located at the back or bottom of your refrigerator. Their job is to cool and condense the machine. When they’re dirty, they impact the efficiency of the machine. Cleaning them every 12 months can keep your refrigerator running smoothly by reducing your electric bill and extending the life of the appliance. It also prevents an expensive gasket repair bill which can run around $100-$200.

Have you cleaned a refrigerator coil before? If not, don’t worry it can take as little as 5 minutes.

Clear gutters to prevent water damage

Some say this should be the top of the new home maintenance tips. Cleaning gutters may not seem that important, but blocked gutters can wreck your whole home’s ecosystem.

Especially during rainy seasons, clean gutters are crucial in preventing water damage to your home. They manage the flow of rainwater and prevent water from pooling which, if they’re blocked, can result in devastating water damage in the wall cavities of the home.

If this is something that’s unfamiliar to you, getting help is always advised. Cleaning gutters involves climbing ladders which can be dangerous without experience. If that’s the case for you, call the experts to help with this home maintenance tip.

Keep smoke alarms up to date

Smoke alarms were created to keep you safe within your home. It’s imperative to ensure they are regularly tested, maintained and installed. This homeowner maintenance tip will allow you to live in your home with peace of mind.

The state of Texas has strict laws around smoke detectors. If you live in a new residential construction, your smoke alarm will be hardwired into your home. The state also requires an alarm on at least every floor if you live in a multiple level home. As a new homeowner, you may not be aware of how your smoke alarm is set up. Be sure to check your alarms once you move in so you’re comfortable with how they are installed.

Not sure how to test or install a smoke alarm? Check with your local city hall, there are often free programs on how to maintain a smoke alarm. For example, Dallas City Hall has a Smoke Detector Installation program managed by volunteers and fire prevention officers who respond to residents’ queries on smoke alarm safety.

Enjoy your new home

The most important new homeowner tip is to enjoy your new home. Becoming a first time homeowner can be overwhelming, and now you’ve made it to the finish line. Celebrate your space to call home.