Regular Home Maintenance Tips for Longevity
Did you know keeping up with routine home maintenance and repairs is one of the best ways for homeowners to save money and protect the longevity of interior fixtures and features?
The structural and design integrity of a house, condominium, or apartment holds the majority of a home's value. When homeowners put off essential maintenance tasks, they not only pay for them later in terms of increased repair and replacement costs, but they also risk losing or compromising warranties or their homeowners' insurance benefits.
In the home repair and maintenance realm, insiders evaluate "first-time costs" and "lifetime costs." The first-time costs refer to the price tag on the front end. For example, your HVAC system may cost $7500 out the door, but it will require service visits and repairs along the way. All of these costs added together equal its "lifetime cost."
You can take care of plenty of DIY maintenance tasks on your own with a few standard tools, a safe and stable ladder or step ladder, and attention to detail. Others require contacting your HOA or a licensed, experienced professional, which is required before you perform any major repairs or home improvement projects.
10 Routine Home Maintenance Tips To Reduce Lifetime Costs
If you procrastinate or fail to honor a manufacturer's recommended maintenance list for a system, product, or feature, odds are you'll pay more in repair costs over that item's lifetime and pay out more on more frequent replacement costs. When it comes to your home's primary systems - HVAC, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, etc., this can add up to tens of thousands of dollars you wouldn't have had to spend if you'd been proactive about home maintenance and repairs.
By creating, updating, and adhering to this home maintenance checklist, you'll significantly reduce the lifetime costs of homeownership. These tasks are rooted in the themes of proactivity and prevention.
1. Learn What the HOA Covers & What It Doesn't
Don't take others' words for it when it comes to what your Homeowner's Association (HOA) takes care of and what it doesn't. Your sister's or friend's HOA may maintain things that yours does not - and vice versa.
Read your paperwork carefully, and never hesitate to speak with the sales team or housing counselors to learn more or ask questions about what's yours to maintain. They're here to help you with all the hurdles associated with purchasing a first home, including maintenance requirements.
In most cases, the HOA maintains, repairs and replaces:
The roof and all aspects of the roofing system (roof deck, shingles, flashing, drip edges, etc).
Chimneys and roof vents.
Gutters and downspouts (unless damaged by a resident on their deck or patio space)
Common areas
Walkways, driveways, and parking structures.
Landscaping and irrigation.
Foundation and repairs of any foundation problems.
Exterior or significant interior structural cracks due to settling.
Exterior pest control (schedule interior pest control to minimize the presence of ants, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, or wood boring pests, which can do significant damage to structural wood and furniture).
And so on.
You may be responsible if a common area is damaged due to resident negligence. In some cases, the damage might be covered by the homeowner's insurance policy; in other cases, you will have to pay out of pocket.
2. Contact licensed professionals at the first sign of damage
The longer something is not working as it should, is broken, or damaged, the more expensive the repairs become. Don't put off any necessary repairs. Contact licensed experts - or your HOA - at the first sign of any red flags. Always use licensed contractors to perform repair work; Click Here to Check a Contractor's License Status or contact the City of San Francisco's building department at 628-652-3200.
NOTE: Your unit's warranties and homeowner's insurance policy depend on your honesty and integrity. To protect themselves and their overhead, manufacturers and insurance carriers diligently investigate claims to ensure there is no evidence of fraud and to minimize the amount they have to pay out if homeowners are responsible due to negligence of any kind. Manufacturers and insurance agents want proof that equipment and products were maintained per their instructions and that you notified the appropriate parties at the first sign that something was wrong.
For example, if you call the HOA and say you just noticed a plumbing leak. Still, licensed professionals note dramatic structural damage or mold growth (which indicates a long-term leak), you may be responsible for all or a portion of the charges. Early detection, notification, and repair are the best ways to minimize total expenses.
Also, help your HOA by notifying them if you notice any issues in or around the common areas, such as roof damage, areas of dead or dying lawn, tree branches that extend out over the roof or into the siding, gutters that aren't draining due to leaves or other debris, and so on.
We do our best to perform regular property inspections, but we want all our residents to be on the lookout - and report - any items that need attention, upkeep, or repair.
3. Honor systems & product manufacturers' maintenance recommendations
When you move into your new unit, you'll receive a homeowners manual or a folder containing all of the paperwork associated with your unit's systems, fixtures, and finishes.
Every vendor and subcontractor we use provides specific information on how best to clean, maintain, and protect their products. Also, many have the option to be registered in the manufacturer's system, which can extend existing warranties or ensure you get the most out of the warranties associated with their products.
We know there's a mountain of paperwork associated with purchasing a BMR home, but tackle the homeowner's maintenance information little by little and add important maintenance or inspection dates into your calendar.
4. Schedule annual HVAC maintenance
HVACs are one of the most energy-consumptive systems in the home. In addition to extending its lifespan and minimizing unnecessary repair/replacement costs, an annual HVAC inspection, tune-up, and routine maintenance minimize yearly utility spending. Read the ACCA page about how to find a licensed HVAC contractor.
Things you can do to improve heating and cooling performance and minimize wear and tear include:
Changing the air filter at least twice a year for HVAC efficiency and optimized indoor air quality (change air filters every other month if you or household occupants suffer from allergies or respiratory issues).
Keeping all HVAC vents free from obstructions or debris.
Dusting or vacuuming the heating and cooling registers/vents at least once a year.
Contacting the HVAC company if you notice anything unusual, like frequent cycling on/off, loud or annoying sounds when it's running, or if there are any strange smells associated with its function.
Ask if the company offers a membership program. These programs automatically schedule biannual maintenance visits for very reasonable costs and provide discounts on all repairs and future equipment needs.
5. Set a calendar reminder to change alarm batteries
Your unit has smoke and carbon monoxide detectors placed in specific locations in alignment with state and local building codes to keep you and other occupants safe.
Never disconnect or remove detectors.
Under no circumstances should you ever disconnect, remove, or disable a smoke or carbon monoxide detector. Doing so compromises your safety, as well as the safety of others in the buildings.
Test detectors every month
The first of every month is a great time to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they work correctly. If not, replace them ASAP.
Replace the batteries every six months
You should also replace the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon dioxide detectors every six months. Many people use the daylight savings season tradition of "springing forward" and "falling back" as their reminders for those. Keeping fresh batteries in detectors guarantees they'll work for you if needed.
Follow fire extinguisher instructions for recharging/replacing.
Just because you have fire extinguishers in the kitchen, garage, or your car doesn't mean they work indefinitely. Follow the instructions on the extinguisher's tag or sticker to ensure it's recharged or exchanged as needed.
6. Recognize the signs of roof or plumbing leaks
Any leaks or unaddressed water damage can do significant structural damage, adding up to thousands - or tens of thousands - of dollars of damage. Noticing and immediately attending to leaks or any signs of water damage is critical.
Signs of moisture infiltration include:
Obvious signs of leaks, flooding, or water spots/patches on floors, ceilings, or drywall.
Soft or spongy areas on the wall - particularly in exterior walls or those that house plumbing or water pipes.
Evidence of water or moisture around exterior doors or windows.
Any evidence of mold or mildew
Inspect the cabinets below the kitchen and bathroom sinks at least once a month in case any slow plumbing or backed-up drains aren't causing damage you aren't aware of.
Some of the lesser-known but common areas where leaks or water seepage occur include:
Around the base of faucets and toilets.
Underneath your washer and dryer.
Beneath or around the water heater.
Around showers and bathtubs if caulking or waterproofing materials fail.
The refrigerator water line (used for the ice machine) and condensation pan.
Around any exterior window or door with compromised caulking or weather stripping.
Around or underneath skylights or other roof penetrations (chimneys, vents, etc.)
Near or under any other appliances that utilize water.
The sooner we know about them, the sooner we can repair them or refer you to contractors who can.
7. Keep your unit clean and decluttered
We know that housecleaning isn't on everyone's favorite list of things to do. And who can blame you with all there is to do and see here in Mission Bay? But, believe it or not, keeping clean and organized is included in your list of home maintenance tasks. Decluttering and creating a cyclical habit of cleaning keeps your unit looking like new and increases the chances of noticing minor issues or necessary home repairs before they become more extensive - and more costly.
In addition to weekly cleaning tasks, there are a few things you can do once or twice to boost your efforts:
Keep drains clear, free of clogs, and smelling fresh
Every three months or so, pour a pot of boiling water down all of your drains in the kitchen and bathrooms. Follow that with 1 cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar. Run the garbage disposal for 10 or 20 seconds to freshen it up. Plug the drain and wait five to 10 minutes. Pour a second pot of water down to finish the drain clearing process.
If you have a significant drain clog or backup, skip the DIY solutions and contact a licensed plumber to fix it ASAP so it doesn't lead to flooding (or water damage) in your unit or your neighbors.
Lubricate moving parts
Lubrication goes a long way toward keeping your doors, drawers, windows, and slider doors moving smoothly. Don't forget about the garage door, which also benefits from lubricating its track, rollers, and pulleys.
Have a sticky lock or notice an area of corrosion on metal parts? A little lubrication eases troublesome locks and can clean up and prevent metal corrosion.
Use touch-up paint to cover smudges and wear
Inevitable wear and tear, changes in furniture arrangements, and the addition/subtraction of art from the walls can lead to smudged or uneven color patches on the walls. You'll be given a small container of touch-up paint, and we encourage you to use it. If you run out, you can have the color matched by a local hardware store.
If nails or curtain rod brackets leave holes behind, make sure to spackle the holes first, let the spackle dry completely, and then continue with the touch-up painting.
Clear the dryer vents
Dirty or clogged dryer vents not only decrease a dryer's efficiency but also cause fires due to accumulated lint and other dryer vent debris. Watch this video from Home Depot on how to clean your dryer vents at least once a year.
Shampoo the carpets
Vacuuming only goes so far and is best for dry dirt, pet fur, dander, and other debris. It doesn't remove set-in stains or grime. Shampooing your carpets once a year keeps them looking - and smelling - like new.
Clean behind and under appliances
If you are able, pull appliances away from the wall or use a vacuum cleaner attachment to clean accumulated dust and debris from underneath and behind the unit. This includes things like:
The fridge
Range/stove
Washer and dryer
