Many people start the new year thinking about ways to improve their health, be more organized and manage their finances. Experts say there is one area that relates to each of these resolutions – home care.
Early and routine home maintenance goes beyond repairing visible damage. It helps ensure a healthy living environment, extends the life of a home and can protect its long-term value, according to real estate professionals. Planning ahead for regular maintenance and unexpected emergencies can reduce the risk of costly repairs later and help spread expenses more evenly throughout the year.
According to research by the US Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, about three-quarters of existing homes are expected to still be in use in 2050.
“Maintaining the homes we have is really critical to protecting our health and well-being,” said Amanda Reddy, executive director of the National Center for Healthy Housing, an organization that researches and advocates for reducing housing-related health disparities.
Regardless of who owns the property, Reddy says, keeping homes dry, clean, pest-free, well-ventilated and safe is the goal, which can mean different types of maintenance depending on the type of home, where someone lives and the time of year. Here’s what experts say about home care and what tasks to put on your checklist this year:
Home care includes big projects and day-to-day decisions
On average, Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, 70 percent of that time inside a residence, according to the National Survey of Human Activity Patterns.
“It’s not just that we spend time in the house, it’s at home. If you’re older, very young, have health issues or work from home, it’s probably more than that,” Reddy said, emphasizing why home care is a valuable investment.
What many people think of maintenance includes dealing with water and gas leaks, pest infestations, cracks and other major repairs, but homebuilders say not everything needs a professional and can include actions as simple as wiping down counters and sweeping floors with food debris, opening windows for better ventilation or cleaning clogged filters and drains.
Residents should also consider the needs of those living in the home, commonly used spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms, and commonly neglected areas such as attics and basements. Reddy says that “wherever we spend time” or often ignoring and possibly missing necessary repairs should be a priority.
“At the end of the day, doing any preventive maintenance in anything matters more than doing it perfectly or at exactly the right time,” Reddy said. “But timing can make a big difference. Many of these tasks are seasonal or annual, and you won’t be doing it just once. Homes are stressed differently at different times of the year, so seasonal maintenance helps us address problems before they’re exacerbated by environmental stressors.”
Seasonal maintenance to plan throughout the year
When it comes to maintenance, planning and preparing for anticipated and routine environmental changes can help mitigate natural wear and tear on the exterior of homes and also help create healthy conditions inside, where most people shelter from extreme weather.
“What happens outside rarely stays outside. What’s out comes in, what’s in accumulates,” Reddy said, adding that fluctuating outdoor conditions put stress on appliances and systems at different times of the year. “For most people, the seasonal rhythm not only makes sense because of those stressors, but it’s also more realistic and efficient than trying to tackle a long and overwhelming checklist all at once.”
For example, experts say the best time to prepare for cold, wet weather, storms and other natural disasters is to address concerns before temperatures drop. Similarly, residents are advised to address in-home systems that work to reduce the effects of extremely high temperatures, dry and drought conditions and associated risks such as wildfires and off-season air quality.
Professional guidance from home inspectors, builders and real estate agents says that spring and summer tasks should focus on preparing for warmer weather. Experts recommend checking air conditioning systems, cleaning dryer vents to prevent fire hazards, testing sprinkler systems, tending to gardens and plants around the exterior of homes, and inspecting appliances, electrical equipment, and plumbing. Experts also say spring is a good time to clean and do any home projects that involve painting or remodeling, as rain is unlikely to cause delays during this time.
During the fall and winter months, experts suggest focusing on temperature control and air quality measures, as people tend to stay indoors during colder weather. The U.S. Home Inspectors Training Guide says to check heating systems, clean air filters, make sure carbon monoxide detectors are working, seal air leaks, prioritize pest control, clean and repair roofs and chimneys, and inspect drainage options in and around homes.