How to keep up with residential property maintenance

Don’t let key tasks fall by the wayside

For most of us, buying a residential property is the single most expensive purchase in our lifetime. More than just a place to call home, a property is an investment that requires additional expense over time in order to maintain its future value. Deferring maintenance and cleaning may save money in the short term, but many troubles left unattended will soon become problematic and can cost much more to fix in the long run.

“Regular home maintenance can benefit your family’s health, safety and pocketbook,” says Elizabeth Dodson, Co-Founder of HomeZada, a home management software company. Keeping this in mind, here are several examples of how to maintain your home and why it’s important.

Most damage to a structure is caused by moisture. The addition of a chimney cap will help to keep rain moisture from entering fireplaces and heating flues. Houses need to breathe to stay dry. With regards to fireplaces, keep the damper closed when not in use to maximize indoor climate control and save on energy costs.

While a good roof may be the single most important part of a home that requires maintenance, a dry basement requires that you properly clean gutters and downspouts to help shed water away from the foundation. Some especially damp cellars may also need a dehumidifier to remove moisture. It’s best to prevent mold and mildew issues, since they can infect your entire home and lead to major respiratory illnesses.

It is necessary to keep up with landscaping around your property. Cutting back vegetation and trees will allow proper air flow and also help prevent animals and insects from making your home their home.

Well-maintained siding and a good paint job are essential. Chipped and peeling paint hold moisture. Add in a cycle of freezing and thawing and this will accelerate the failure of the housing envelope. Any cracks in macadam driveways, stone patios or concrete walks will be subject to further deterioration from this freeze-thaw cycle.

Windows and doors should be kept clean and in working order. Replace weather-stripping to close gaps. Lubricate your doors, including your garage door, for smooth operation and to delay the need for parts replacement. Older windows are balanced with lead weights, which have ropes that often split; this can be dangerous, especially around children or pets. Window casings need to be carefully opened to repair or service or they may need to be replaced entirely. Many quality window options are available at your local home improvement store; upgrading will allow for better heating efficiency.

Outside water spigots, sprinkler heads and water lines must be properly drained and protected to prevent damage or bursting pipes. Inside the home, water faucets in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry rooms need to be occasionally honed, and washers need to be replaced to prevent leaking and failure. Faucet filters collect debris and need to be removed and cleaned to ensure proper flow. Sinks, tubs and toilets need to be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent buildup of “gunk” and to ensure proper drainage.

Water heaters should be monitored and swapped out before they fail, not after. Most of the pipes from a forced hot water system are iron or steel. These systems need to be flushed on a periodic basis to prevent the buildup of rust, which could damage water circulation pumps and prevent the proper transfer of heat.

On an annual basis, inspect heating and cooling equipment to ensure they are functioning optimally. Every hot water or steam boiler should be cleaned and serviced once a year. Radiator and pressure release valves should be monitored for leaks, cleaned and flushed every year.

All mechanical and electrical systems need to be monitored and continually upgraded to provide maximum efficiency. Fixtures, light bulbs, batteries, etc., have limited working lives and need to be occasionally replaced and/or upgraded. A regular schedule of battery replacement in your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors could be life-saving. Experts recommend that batteries be replaced twice a year. You can do this when you are setting your clocks during Daylight Savings. (Have you replaced your batteries recently?)

The temperature may still feel chilly, but spring and summer will be here before you know it. Your window-placed air conditioning units should have been cleaned and properly stored for the winter months. Outside central air conditioning units should also be cleaned of debris and covered for the winter. Outdoor barbecues need their burners and grease traps cleaned to assure proper function and prevent fires.

Building code requirements change regularly, so it’s important to be informed of current laws. Building and maintenance professionals, as well your local fire department, can keep you abreast new regulations, should you require new or additional fire, smoke, or CO detectors. Railings are required for stoops with three steps or more. Disturbing or removing lead paint now requires a license. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines or even in fatality.

While some people may enjoy renting, for most, nothing beats owning their home. You don’t have to invest a ton of time or money to improve your home’s value. Plenty of projects offer great returns on investment. This becomes especially important if your home is on the market. When the time to sell comes, a well-maintained property will sell quicker and result in a better price than a property that has had its maintenance deferred.

From replacing elements of your home’s exterior to updating your kitchen, your realtor can offer suggestions for updates that can help you sell. As such, a proactive maintenance plan will not only increase the present enjoyment of your home but will also pay dividends in the long run. According to the National Association of Realtors, preemptive maintenance can increase the appraised value of your home each year by one percent, whereas a house in disrepair can lose 10% of its previous appraised value.

Last, consider creating a home maintenance schedule to stay organized and motivated. Make one using a three-ring binder with dividers, pockets and clear plastic sleeves in order to consolidate all your household information. This should include warranties, service contracts, receipts, maintenance schedule and records of repairs and improvement. This way, you’ll know at a glance the last time you pruned your hedges, replaced your weather-stripping or had your boiler repaired.

WAYNE “RENT-A-MENSCH” ROSENBERG is a licensed and insured realtor, construction supervisor, seasoned property and maintenance manager and a licensed lead paint remover.