Your house is a major player in life. You come home everyday to relax, spend time with family and enjoy time with friends. Studies have shown that homeowners stay in their homes for an average of 13 years. One way to get the most out of this long-term relationship is too actively care for your home and not just make repairs.
Here are 5 ways to treat your home like an all-star:
Here are 5 ways to treat your home like an all-star:
Change furnace filter
Furnace filters should be replaced annually, and some even recommend one a month! As the weather starts to get cold and you’re ready to kick your furnace back on, it’s definitely time for a change. Replacing your furnace filter saves you money by heating your home more efficiently, improves air quality and reduces the amount of dust in your home. And the best part is you can easily do this project all on your own!
Clean appliances
Appliances are often ignored for the sake of utility, but your house will appreciate giving all your appliances a good scrub. Get out the cleaning products and go after the outside of your stove, oven and dishwasher. You don’t have to stop there, go above and beyond to make to take your home to the next level of clean:
Trim trees
The leaves are falling and filling your gutters. It may be time for a good tree trim. Pruning is good for the health of your trees and keeps your home safe. Focus on the trees closest to your house and trim branches that extend over your roof or brush against windows. These are most likely to do damage to your home, especially in the event of a big dump of snow. While you’re out there, look for any dead branches and cut those down as well.
Check for cracks around windows and doors
Cracks around your home can cost you money on your utility bill. You can easily do a visual inspection of all your windows and doors to see where air may be escaping. Once cracks or gaps have been identified, most can be filled in using an exterior-grade caulking.
Don’t forget the door knobs
Door knobs may be the most overlooked part of a home. It’s time to stop ignoring that trick doorknob to your bathroom so get the screwdriver out and get everything tightened up. Some more modern door handles may require more work but should still only need basic tools and some Googling.
Staying on top of house projects feels good. You can rest easy knowing your home is clean and safe as the seasons change. So sit back and enjoy the changing leaves instead of worrying about your house.
Furnace filters should be replaced annually, and some even recommend one a month! As the weather starts to get cold and you’re ready to kick your furnace back on, it’s definitely time for a change. Replacing your furnace filter saves you money by heating your home more efficiently, improves air quality and reduces the amount of dust in your home. And the best part is you can easily do this project all on your own!
Clean appliances
Appliances are often ignored for the sake of utility, but your house will appreciate giving all your appliances a good scrub. Get out the cleaning products and go after the outside of your stove, oven and dishwasher. You don’t have to stop there, go above and beyond to make to take your home to the next level of clean:
- You can clean your dishwasher with some baking soda and vinegar. Here’s how -->
- To get your washer looking good as new with some bleach, baking soda and a rinse. Here’s how -->
- Don’t forget to check on your dryer vent to prevent any potential damage. Here’s how -->
Trim trees
The leaves are falling and filling your gutters. It may be time for a good tree trim. Pruning is good for the health of your trees and keeps your home safe. Focus on the trees closest to your house and trim branches that extend over your roof or brush against windows. These are most likely to do damage to your home, especially in the event of a big dump of snow. While you’re out there, look for any dead branches and cut those down as well.
Check for cracks around windows and doors
Cracks around your home can cost you money on your utility bill. You can easily do a visual inspection of all your windows and doors to see where air may be escaping. Once cracks or gaps have been identified, most can be filled in using an exterior-grade caulking.
Don’t forget the door knobs
Door knobs may be the most overlooked part of a home. It’s time to stop ignoring that trick doorknob to your bathroom so get the screwdriver out and get everything tightened up. Some more modern door handles may require more work but should still only need basic tools and some Googling.
Staying on top of house projects feels good. You can rest easy knowing your home is clean and safe as the seasons change. So sit back and enjoy the changing leaves instead of worrying about your house.