New year, new home? These home maintenance tips will help you have that “new home” feeling all over again!
January is the perfect time for a fresh start in your home—whether you’ve lived there just a few days or a few years. Starting the new year with a routine home maintenance plan will help ensure your house remains safe, efficient, and comfortable in the year to come.
Here are four home maintenance tasks Houston homeowners should do in January to kick off the new year right:
1. Check Safety Detectors & Alarms
January is an ideal time for homeowners to inspect all their home safety systems, including:
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Smoke detectors & fire alarms
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Carbon monoxide detectors
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Fire extinguishers (refill them if needed!)
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Home security systems
Make sure each and every alarm in your home is functioning properly with good batteries and is clean of dust or debris. Regular checks to these safety systems will provide peace of mind and help keep your family protected!
2. Inspect Water Softener Levels
For Houston homeowners, hard water can wreak havoc on plumbing systems, since mineral-heavy water is commonly used in the area. If you know you have to soften the water in your home, January is a great time to check your levels! You can use chemical test strips (typically found at any home improvement store) to check your water quality and adjust softener levels as needed. This home maintenance task protects your pipes, prolongs the life of home appliances, and even helps improve your skin and hair!
If you’re not sure if you have to soften your water or how to maintain your home’s system, a local plumber can help! Contact us to get connected with a reliable, licensed professional in your area.
3. Replace AC & Furnace Filters
Most Houston homeowners may not have to worry about furnace filters, but changing air filters regularly is essential for maintaining clean and efficient air flow throughout a home. Both air filters and furnace filters usually need to be replaced every three months (this can vary depending on things like if you live in a dusty area, if you have a lot of pets, if there’s construction next door, etc.), so January is a great time to start fresh and get on a quarterly replacement schedule!
You can find furnace and air filters at most hardware stores—be sure to note the size of the one you need! If you’re not sure how to find the size, use your old one for reference!
4. Clean the Range Hood & Fan
The holidays often leave kitchens in need of some major TLC... A great place to start is cleaning above the oven, including the range hood, fan, and filters. These areas tend to accumulate an insane amount of grease, food splatters, and more, which can affect functionality of the fan and even pose a fire hazard!
A good scrubbing with some degreasing soap not only keeps your kitchen feeling fresh but also ensures it's safe and efficient. Plus, you’ll be shocked at how dirty it can get up there. And to think… your food is exposed to that every time you use your range!
Starting a home maintenance plan in January helps homeowners stay on top of their home’s condition, ensuring it is clean and well-kept throughout the new year. And by tackling a just few maintenance tasks every month, homeowners can not only keep up with must-do home maintenance tasks, but they can also identify any potential problems early on, before they become troublesome and costly.
Need help with any of these home maintenance ideas for January? Looking to start the new year fresh in a new home? Contact us for help today!
Alexis Feezel is a results-oriented Marketing Coordinator responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all promotional strategies and activities to effectively market clients & listings and maximize sales.