Whether you are a homeowner or rent an apartment, home maintenance will be your responsibility most of the time. This includes keeping the house clean, ensuring that the pipes are not frozen during winter, and more.
However, not everyone’s an expert when it comes to maintenance. So, it will not be surprising that we are doing things that can cause more damage than good:
- Neglecting wall or ceiling stains
- Not washing the dishwasher regularly
- Going overboard with the pressure washer
- Letting chipped and peeling paint be
- Not replacing your air filters
- Not cleaning your fireplace
- Forgetting about your gutters
- Using harmful cleaning supplies
If you want to ensure that you are not damaging your house further, here are eight things that you should be wary of:
Neglecting wall or ceiling stains
Staining and watermarks in walls and ceilings indicate that your pipes are leaking. It can be due to a roof problem or the aged caulking in the bathroom no longer prevents water from seeping through.
So, if you see this kind of stain in your drywall, immediately contact the plumber to address the root cause or issue.
After you’ve discovered the source of the stain and what caused it, the next step is to deal with the stain itself.
Use bleach to get rid of any mildew or mold. Then, use a coat primer, followed by a paint color in your ceiling or wall.
To avoid blotched work, get in touch with a contractor that specializes in the restoration of drywalls.
Irregular cleaning of the dishwasher
Your dishwasher cleans the dishes. But it doesn’t get the job done when it comes to cleaning itself.
One of the main issues with using a dishwasher is that food residue, grease, and soap scum can build on it over time. When you leave it be, the residue buildup can prevent your dishwasher from working correctly.
Ideally, it would help if you deep clean your dishwasher every three months to any of these issues from actually happening.
Going overboard with the pressure washer
Although a pressure washer is one of the most efficient ways to keep your home fresh, you might consider opting for a regular garden hose instead.
That’s because a pressure washer tends to damage a couple of exterior elements in your property. For example, it might strip the paint off your siding.
If you have to use a pressure washer, then you should take a couple of safety precautions.
Pros suggest you hold it at a 40° angle or pick a low-stress nozzle instead to avoid damaging sensitive areas like wood or stucco. You might keep the nozzle around 6 inches from the surface.
Letting chipped and peeling paint be
When your home’s exterior is in top shape, it adds to your house’s curb appeal and prevents structural issues. Some of these are wood rot, rusting, and more.
Although chipped and peeling paint can be a minor issue, it can lead to something serious later on. So, you shouldn’t ignore it.
Think of it as the first layer of protection in your home, guarding it against various elements.
Not replacing your air filters
If you regularly replace air filters in your home, you can reduce your HVAC’s energy consumption by around 5%-15%.
Therefore, your system doesn’t have to work twice as hard to keep your place warm or cold. As a result, it will lower the electric bills that you have to pay each month.
At best, you should clean or replace air filters every one to two months to ensure that your HVAC is running correctly.
Although this task is pretty easy, it’s sometimes easy to forget. So, set a reminder, or use a smart thermostat to remind you every couple of months.
Not cleaning your fireplace
Sure, opting for a traditional wood-burning fireplace might look warm and cozy, but it involves a lot of cleaning as well.
Carbonaceous chemical creosote will build up over time, leading to debris, and may even cause a chimney fire. Regularly cleaning your fireplace helps you avoid these things.
Forgetting about your gutters
To avoid any roof leaks, you should keep your gutter clean. Make sure that you get rid of pieces of trash and debris before you flush out leaves that will clog your drain.
Experts recommend that you clean your gutters every six months since leaves will drop in your roof all year long.
Using harmful cleaning supplies
Stay away from using harmful chemicals and other hazardous substances when cleaning your home. That’s because they can eventually home fixtures and appliances.
At Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, we tell our clients to opt for natural cleaners. This includes an all-purpose cleaner made of water and vinegar or lemon.
Over to You
Knowing how to maintain your place properly eliminates unnecessary guesswork. That way, you ensure your house’s upkeep without compromising its condition and market value.
By being aware of these costly home maintenance mistakes, you can avoid committing them in the first place. Good luck!