Home maintenance is a marathon, not a sprinttheres always something to fix, clean, or replace.
Heres a short list of what to check in your house during an annual DIY inspection.
Look for signs of animals or insects.
Look for water stains on the floor or walls that could indicate water infiltration and damage.
Inspect the wallslook for cracks, crumbling masonry, or bulges.
Check the humidity; it should ideally be between 30 and 50%.
Look for signs of rodents or insects.
Windows should lock easily, and you shouldnt have to body-check a door to get it to close.
If you find windows or doors that dont work well, a little lubricant might be all thats needed.
Remove any damaged or peeling caulk andre-caulkusing an exterior caulk marked for doors and windows.
you’ve got the option to also apply somenon-slip tapeto help prevent falls during wet or icy weather.
Look for scorch marks or discolorations around the breakers, and call an electrician if you see anything.
Check that all the outlets in your house work.
Check that all light switches in the house work.
Look for flickering lights and call an electrician if you see any.
Check that the water pressure is robust in every fixture.
Test all drains to ensure they drain quickly and dont overflow.
Look at the base of toilets and under cabinets to see to it there are no signs of leaks.
Considerdraining itto check for sediment.
Inspect the caulking around tubs, showers, sinks, and toilets.
Replace any that has degraded.
Out in your backyard, patio, or deck, check your exterior water spigots for leaks.
Disconnect and drain hoses and turn off the exterior water supply if possible.
While creosote logs can help prevent build-up, an annual inspection and cleaning are recommended for safety.
