ANSON COUNTY — Owning a home is one of the biggest investments that most people will make during their lifetime. In addition to investing in the purchase of a home, homeowners invest in making their homes comfortable by purchasing furniture, flooring, adding additional spaces, and more. Our home is our personal retreat from the world. Just like our health, our home requires regular checkups to ensure that it is in great shape.
For most of us, catching an issue in the home that needs repair happens when it’s too late. It is recommended that homeowners conduct a home maintenance check-up once a year. This will enable you to catch basic repairs early. An annual checkup will also prevent expensive repairs later, ensure safety, and preserve the home’s value. Additionally, it is recommended that you test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every 6 months.
An easy way to remember when and what to check is to conduct maintenance checks seasonally. Spring and summer are excellent times to inspect your roof for weather damage, clean out debris from your gutters, and service your HVAC before heavy use. Fall and winter are good times to flush your water heater, inspect for drafts around doors and windows, and disconnect your water hose to keep pipes from freezing.
One of the most important benefits of an annual home health checkup is that it provides an opportunity to identify small, hidden problems before they grow into larger and more expensive problems. Water leaks, foundation cracks, or faulty electrical wiring are a few examples of problems that might go unnoticed by homeowners until they cause serious damage. An annual checkup allows you to identify these problems before major repairs, saving you thousands in unexpected costs.
Annual home maintenance checkups can extend the life of the systems that are important to the comfort of your home. Although we may not physically see pipes and wiring, our home consists of various systems that keep it running smoothly. Home systems consist of everything from plumbing to HVAC. These systems can be very costly if major repairs are needed. An annual checkup can prevent full system breakdowns.
As a safety measure, annual home checkups can identify safety concerns that may be hiding in your home. For example, an outdated electrical system can be a fire hazard. Hidden dangers such as mold growth can impact indoor air quality and affect your health. Annual inspections can ensure home safety and comfort.
A well-maintained home can increase your property value. Documented regular maintenance checkups show potential buyers that you have cared for the property. This can lead to higher resale values if you decide to sell your home. No one wants to invest in a “money pit.”
Annual home maintenance checkups can save you money! Many homeowner insurance policies require routine inspections. Keeping up with home maintenance checkups can help keep premiums low. In many states, home improvements that improve energy efficiency or safety may be eligible for tax deductions or rebates. A proactive home maintenance checkup can alert a homeowner to areas where improvements are needed. This allows the owner to take advantage of financial incentives while maintaining the home in its best condition.
Understanding the condition of your home’s internal and external systems is essential for planning and allocating funds for projects. Planning based on maintenance needs ensures that time and money are invested wisely. Home maintenance checkups can help homeowners prioritize home projects and renovations. For major home repairs please contact a certified licensed professional to do the job. North Carolina State University has a publication that outlines and details the areas of your home that should be part of your regularly scheduled maintenance and repair, which is a great available resource, available online: NC State Extension Publication Preventive Home Maintenance, https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/preventative-home-maintenance.
If you would like to know more about home maintenance contact your local NC Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Science Agent.