With great privilege comes great responsibility—this couldn’t be truer than it is with homeownership. Owning a house is a full-time job, and that is understandably overwhelming for many people. However, letting routine maintenance go by the wayside can harm your home’s safety. If you want to build a Habit of staying on top of home maintenance, we’re here to help. Here’s how to be better at this mundane yet essential skill.
Educate Yourself on the Importance of Maintenance
You’re more likely to be proactive about maintenance if you understand how you benefit from the effort. Here are just a few excellent reasons:
- You make your home safer.
- You preserve and potentially boost your home’s value.
- You save money by catching issues before they become expensive fixes.
- You gain valuable and practical knowledge about repairs and homeownership.
- You gain peace of mind.
Reminding yourself of these benefits is one of the best ways to motivate yourself to perform routine maintenance tasks on your most lethargic days.
Know What To Look For
Home maintenance becomes a lot more manageable if you know what to look for. Though your exact checklist will vary depending on your home’s location and features, some basic tasks are universal.
For example, regularly check for leaky faucets, drafty windows, or malfunctioning HVAC systems. Likewise, examine your driveway for signs you need concrete lifting. Look over your lawn for indications of unhealthy trees or plants. Investigate your roof for mold, holes, or puddles. Keep your ears open for odd sounds and your nose attuned to unpleasant smells.
The list could go on, so make sure to research the most important home maintenance tasks for your property, create a list, and then use it to guide your inspections.
Create Financial Leeway
If you don’t have a financial cushion, you might avoid maintenance because you don’t want to know what needs to be fixed. What you don’t know can’t hurt you or cost you money, right? Not quite.
Though your finances aren’t always in your control, if you’re able to, set aside a budget for maintenance and repairs. Knowing that you can afford any necessary repairs makes maintenance more mentally approachable.
Consider Outsourcing Some Tasks
Finally, recognize your limits and do not hesitate to seek professional assistance. Some tasks require expertise beyond basic DIY capabilities, and professional intervention ensures work gets done safely and efficiently. It also takes tasks off your to-do list, giving you more energy to tackle the rest!
Hire experts for complex jobs like electrical work, extensive plumbing repairs, or technical installations. Outsourcing saves you time and effort and often guarantees a better result.
Staying on top of home maintenance is an important Habit for homeowners to be better at. If you’re struggling, refer to these tips. Remember your why, be informed, have a budget, and outsource when necessary. You’ve got this!