Homeowners understand that certain things need to be checked, cleaned, and maintained on a regular basis. Here's a quick run through to help you remember what you need to do to maintain the investment you have made in your home!

1. Maintaining Your Home Investment
Your home is an investment. Not only does it house all of your memories and possessions, but the
building and land it stands on is an investment in and of itself.
Real estate tends to appreciate in value throughout the years, but the structure itself can counteract
that appreciation if it’s allowed to fall into disrepair. It is therefore important that you create a proper
maintenance schedule that can work on autopilot throughout the coming years.
You need a list of little things that you can do from week to week to make sure everything is in working
order. Those things are often small, simple, and won’t add too much work to your normal cleaning
schedule.
Monthly Maintenance
First up, what are the things you should
do on a monthly basis? Check your drains
and stoppers.
Bathroom drains especially clog with hair,
even if it’s only men using the shower.
Clean all drains out.
When you reach the garbage disposal,
turn the hot water up and flush the area
with baking soda. This will help remove
any excessive debris in the disposal and
help wash out the pipes below.
If you use fiberglass filters for your forced-air heating system, change the filters. That should cover the
basics for the monthly maintenance.
Bi-Monthly Maintenance
Bimonthly, you should take a look at the grills of
your wall furnace. Lint and dust are very
flammable.
They need just a bit of heat to start a fire. Clean
this area once every two months to ensure it
doesn’t start a fire and air can pass freely through.
Also check the range hood on your oven. Clean
the area but pay attention to the grease filter.

2. Semi-Annual Maintenance
Semi-annually, there are a number of things to look into. Test your
smoke detectors and replace batteries if necessary.
Inspect toilets for leaks and other water problems. Look for cracks
or otherwise deteriorating caulk in your showers, tubs, or sinks.
Replace if you notice excessive wear and tear. Replace your forced-
air heating system filters (unless otherwise instructed in your
user’s manual).
Clean out the lint from ducts and other areas in the dryer. Believe
it or not, lint still sneaks past the filter and needs to be removed to
prevent a fire.
Also take a look at the water inlet filters. Make sure they’re clean. Also make sure that the connections
are clean and tight. Check any wiring you can see for frayed or damaged chords: replace as necessary.
Inspect and clean your roof and its gutters, downspouts, and chimney. This is best done in the spring
and the fall.
Annual Maintenance
On a yearly basis, hire a professional to tune up your
heat and air conditioning system(s). Providing that
these are running for six months at a time, you want
to make sure they are well taken care of.
Drain your water heater until there is no sediment.
Also test the temperature pressure relief valve and
clean the burner and ports (be sure to look up proper
safety tips for doing all of this).
Also take a look at your storm windows and doors,
siding, thermostat, outdoor faucets, and exterior
caulking. Any break or injury to these should be
immediately addressed as well.
Finally one of the best ways to maintain or increase the value of your home investment is to add to or
make improvements to your home. A Utah construction company can help you whether you want to
remodel your kitchen, finish your basement, or add a room to your home.
As you watch these particular points in your home throughout the year, you’ll help to ensure the house
stays in optimal working order throughout your stay in it. The house itself will be an increasing asset that
could be sold for some gain in the future if you decided to move.
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