Home Maintainance

[Kaye]

I would like to know what is the best way to set up a home maintainance plan for my home? I have just purchased a new home and I would like to know how to prioritize a plan for my home?

[lankysarah]

Hi, I am in the same boat as you are Kaye. I am looking for ways to maintain my home but I am also very concerned about the impact I have on the enviornment. Someday I hope to live in an evironmentally friendly house. Till then I am looking for the same pointers you are.

[liberalfantasy]

I was hoping there would be a little more on this topic. I have a long honey do list and I am looking for ways to keep that list getting shorter.I will check back in this topic to see what you all have found out.

[j.chang]

While I don't own a home of my own, I have witnessed my parents in the same situation as you are.

My mom is a cleaning fanatic. She vacuums the carpets twice a week, Swifts the tiles floors twice a week, disinfects the toilets twice a month, and she cleans everything else whenever she can.

She doesn't allow shoes to be worn inside the house either because this can track dirt in along with other stuff.

Also, if you are moving in with a partner or family of your own, make sure they understand that you would like to keep this place as clean as possible. Make sure you tell them to clean up after themselves and that their mess can become everyones mess if they don't.

If I think of some more I will definitely let you know.

[liberalfantasy]

Thanks a lot jchang, however I thought this thread would be more about how often you need to replace heat filters or sealing the grout on the tile floors. Although regular cleaning tasks are also maintainance I was thinking of a bit more tecnical level.

[Kaye]

Your right J.chang I am concerned about how many times a year I should check my weather stripping and what do I need to do to maintain my septic and heating systems. I want to know how many times I should fertilize the lawn or treat it for pests. I know there must be a list somewhere to keep things in order.

[diyhome]

Hi there, I think I know what your talking about and I think it is great that you are being so proactive most of the time people let things go till there is a problem. It is much better to have a plan. I hope this is what you are looking for.

http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Home_Maintenance_Checklist--A1730.html

[buddypdx]

What a cool checklist diyhome I am going to print that one up for myself. There are things on that list that you don't really think of right off and I think that is important. Thanks for posting that for all of us here.

[Kaye]

Thank you so much for this wonderful link,diyhome. This is exactly what I have been looking for all this time. It even has things in it that I would never have thought to check on. I really appreciate this!

[Quack]

If you just bought a new home, I'd probably go a few weeks without a specific plan. I'd mark down anything that I always need to do (cleaning things, dusting, etc). Then, I'd put a plan together from there.

Keep in mind that I've never owned a home, so I'm not sure if there is much else that needs to be thought out.

Hope it helped a bit though.

[gdwebs]

The main thing is to keep your boiler serviced regulary by a professional as if they break its not just the intial cost, but the installation of the product itself that costs an absolute bomb!

[sonali]

Heating, ventilation & cooling
Check radiator valves for leaks

Finding and fixing a leak in a radiator valve early prevents damage to the floor and below.

Garage
Check the door between house and garage

A good seal on the door to your attached garage keeps out fumes and other hazards.

Structure & exterior
Clean the gunk from your gutters

Cleaning leaves and other debris from your gutters is a simple chore that can keep your basement dry.

Kitchen
Clean the refrigerator coils

Your refrigerator is the biggest user of electricity in your home. Clean its coils to keep it running efficiently.

Yard
Cut back some perennials before winter

Some perennials are more likely to survive the winter if you cut them back in fall.

Have your home electronics serviced

The components in your home theater gather dust even if you use them every day. Have them professionally cleaned and serviced each year for top performance.

I hope these tips will be helpful to you.
thanks

[Homedecor1]

Home maintance is very important. If you do not do regular maintenance, you may endup with huge repair cost.
When ever you see a small damage with floor, roof or home appiance, do it right away. If you ignore it, small damage will end
up making a huge damage and loss.

[april_luv]

your right about that. but for me, i always check  everything before i find it out that theirs need to be repair.

[lorst]

Your home is one of the single biggest investments you’ll ever make—be sure you do all you can to care for it. Get hands-on advice to help you make the most of your investment and ensure your home remains safe and comfortable for your family. From carpet care and general maintenance to mold and building materials, let NAHB be your guide.