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If you’ve been lax about keeping up with home maintenance, take a week to work on these responsibilities. As a homeowner, it’s important to stay on top of upkeep around the house. Here is a 7-day schedule to catch up on home maintenance tasks. Tackle these seven jobs in seven days to get your house back in order.

Replace HVAC Filters to Catch Up on Home Maintenance

Your home’s heating and cooling system is fitted with filters to trap pollutants. Your filter should be changed every 30 to 90 days or as recommended by the manufacturer of your HVAC unit. The filters help clean the air that circulates through your home. Set a reminder in your phone or add it to your calendar so you’ll remember to replace the filter as needed.

Cleaning Gutters

Gutters funnel the water off of your roof and away from the home. Clogged gutters overflow and may cause water to leak behind your siding, which can cause damage to the structure, including mold and mildew growth. Overflowing gutters also lead to drainage issues around the house. Water can seep into the basement causing mold and flooding.

Test Smoke Detectors

Test your smoke detectors monthly and keep fresh batteries on hand. Make sure the smoke detectors are free of dust and dirt and that they sound when the “test” button is pressed. Replace batteries as needed and replace the entire device after 10 years of service.

Vacuum the Dryer Vent to Catch Up on Home Maintenance

Clean the dryer’s lint trap each time you do laundry, and every one to three months, vacuum your clothes dryer’s vent to remove lint and dust. The combination of heat from the appliance and lint has caused thousands of house fires. Keep the dryer vent free of debris to help your dryer function more efficiently and keep your family and your home safer.

Seal Your Deck

The backyard deck is a great place to spend time with your family outdoors. Exposure to the sun, rain, and wind will age the decking boards. Without proper maintenance, they will warp, splinter, split, and rot.

Choose a warm afternoon to sand and reseal your deck. Remove any badly damaged boards and replace them, then sand the surface and apply stain and/or a weatherproofing sealant.

Inspect and Replace Caulk

Caulk around the bathtub and sinks protects your walls by keeping water out. Over time, the product will deteriorate and begin to crack. Re-caulking is an easy DIY job.

You’ll need to completely remove the old caulk, clean the area, and then add a fresh application. Caulk stops water from damaging your walls and floors, and by sealing those gaps, you’ll also help prevent mold growth.

Catch Up on Home Appliance Maintenance

Appliances help us make short work of household chores. Get the most out of your appliances by staying on top of regular maintenance tasks.

  • Clean the filter in your dishwasher to remove food particles and boost the performance of the machine.
  • Vacuum the coils beneath or behind the refrigerator to improve its efficiency.
  • Set a reminder in your phone to replace the filter in your home’s water purification system.
  • Clean the stovetop and oven to extend the lifespan of the appliance and reduce the risk of fire.

Regular appliance maintenance will boost the energy-efficiency of the machines and extend their lifespans.

Outlook Home Inspections provides home inspections for Charlotte and the surrounding area. Contact us to schedule our services.