Owning a home is much more than just making a mortgage payment.
Just like you do for your car, you must maintain a home to keep things running smoothly.
That means you will need to have a plan to pay for home maintenance projects.
Damir Sisic, a service technician with Dunedin Refrigeration, services an HVAC on April 28, 2021. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
Keep in mind, too, that maintenance is usually cheaper than repairs and replacements.
It is very important to maintain the value of your property.
He and hisINSPECTIXteam in Nebraska have inspected more than 30,000 homes.
Wanninger suggests several home maintenance projects you should do periodically.
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Anyissues with water should be addressedas soon as possible.
Data fromTravelers Insurancesays 19% of insurance claims from homeowners during the winter months are for weather-related water damage.
Remove any leaves or debris that is inhibiting the flow.
Do not do this task alone.
verify someone is spotting you on the ladder.
If you choose to hire someone,HomeGuidesays the average cost of gutter cleaning is $150.
The additional weight could cause problems.
Is the Sump Pump Working?
In the midst of a rainstorm is a bad time to find out your basement sump pump isnt working.
Wanninger has a warning about this.
Check for any leaks around toilets and under sinks and that they dont wobble.
check that caulk and grout are still intact in bathtubs, showers and behind the sinks.
If your system has electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components, someone should inspect it annually.
Check Irrigation Systems
When working properly, lawn irrigation systems keep grass and plants lush and beautiful.
Malfunctioning systems can cause lots of problems besides just a dry lawn.
He said many homes he inspects have sprinklers hitting the house which can cause rotting and other damage.
Maintaining Appliances and Equipment
We spend a lot on HVAC systems, washing machines and dryers.
Periodic maintenance can help keep these items running well.
An annual maintenance call costs about $150.
Wanninger said he sees lots of floor and wall damage because of loose connections.
After every few loads in the dryer, double-check to clean the lint filter.
A clogged dryer vent can keep your dryer from working properly and could even cause a fire.
Kitchen Upkeep
Your kitchen appliances can use a little TLC every now and then.
Replace Water Filters
11.
Vacuum the Refrigerator Coil
12.
Clean Range Hood Filter
13.
Paint alone could put a $5,000 ding in the budget.
Keep Dirt Away
Water should drain away from the house, not toward it.
This will help prevent water damage.
The dirt around your house is referred to as backfill.
When that house was built, the dirt was disturbed from its original condition, Wanninger said.
Check on Paint and Siding
Paint does more than make your house look good.
It also acts like a skin and protects the house from damage.
Painting a home is probably about an every five year project.
Repainting the exterior of a house is between $1,900 and $6,900, according to HomeGuide.
Maintain Exterior Caulk
If there is no caulking around siding or window trim, look out.
Caulking is more for areas that are stationary while weatherstripping seals air gaps around windows and doors that move.
A blockage could cause dangerous gasses to go back into your home or start a fire.
Check Roof and Support Structure
19.
Service Garage Door
Electric garage doors are a great convenience and can last for many years.
Many garage door companies say it is important to service your electric garage door at least once a year.
She advised her clients to start what she calls a life fund.
Its not your emergency fund because your emergency fund is for when something catastrophic happens.
This is if something in the house breaks and we have to replace it.
Its for that ongoing maintenance piece that you constantly have to be feeding, she said.
The relatively small fees for professional home maintenance or even for supplies to do it yourself add up.
Remember, as materials become more expensive, some preventive maintenance prices are also going up.
Look around your house for issues.
Dont wait for an issue to become known.
Go find it before it becomes a big issue.
Inspect your own property, Wanninger said.
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