How to Keep Your Home in Good Working Order

Here are some regular, simple steps you can take that can help keep repair costs down and your home in good condition.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Liquid Drain Cleaners
• Pruning Shears
• Weather Stripping
• Window Screens
• Pruning Shears
• White Vinegar
• White Vinegar
• Binoculars
• Binoculars
• Caulking Guns

1. Clean your gutters and make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation of your home.

2. Inspect your roof from the ground with binoculars. Look for loose, damaged or missing roofing materials, and repair any problem areas. Check for leaks during heavy rains.

3. Trim tree branches from around the roof line, inspect vents, remove any debris and repair as needed. (This is a good springtime project.)

4. Check toilets for leaks. Look around the base and between the tank and bowl for leaks.

5. Remove and clean pop-up sink drain plugs. Use a liquid declogger. (Do this four times a year.)

6. Inspect grout and caulk around sinks, tubs, showers and windows. Remove and replace damaged grout and caulk.

7. Inspect and flush the water heater.

8. Inspect and replace your air conditioning/furnace filter as necessary. (Check this every month.)

9. Replace batteries in smoke detectors. (Do this twice a year.)

10. Repair driveway and sidewalk cracks.

11. Remove accumulated mineral deposits from shower heads and aerators by soaking or scrubbing with white vinegar.

12. Repair or replace damaged window screens and weather stripping.

13. Repair or replace broken fences and gates.

14. Check exterior walls for cracks, splits and weathering.

15. Inspect and clean your fireplace and/or wood-burning stove and flue. (This is a good fall project.)

16. Insulate outdoor pipes. (Another good fall project.)

Tips & Warnings

• A little bit of preventative maintenance can save you hours of work and hundreds of dollars in repairs.