When it comes to home maintenance, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed right off the bat. There are many aspects to consider – from cleaning your gutters to keeping your boiler or heating system in good nick. This guide breaks down each element of maintaining your home into seasons so that you have a handy reference point to keep on track throughout the year.
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Many people don’t think about the general upkeep of their home until it’s too late. This is how slight issues become huge problems that are expensive and time consuming to fix. Having different checks and tasks for each season will help you keep on top of this and save you time and money in the long run.
Although you can handle many tasks season by season, it’s worth taking some time each month to run through necessary checks and chores that will ensure the smooth day-to-day running of your home.
An in-depth cleaning schedule will make your life a lot easier! Keeping on top of this will make sure different fixtures in your home stay looking great for longer and prevent large appliances from becoming damaged by grime build up.
Oven – take some time to give it a good scrub and use oven cleaner on any trays that have built up grease
Fridge/Freezer – give your fridge and freezer a good clean out, throw away any food that is past its expiry date
Washing machine – run your washing machines self-clean programme, wipe underneath the rubber door seals and scrub the detergent tray. If your machine has a panel to remove to access the drain filter, empty it out
Hood extractor – if the extractor hood above your stove has a filter, try to change it every month
Damp – check for damp, wipe down walls and the tops of cupboards
Plug holes – remove any build-up of hair from the shower and bath plug holes. If you’ve noticed water build-up, use a drain snake or cleaner to remove any potential blockage
Medicine cabinet – check everything is in date and reorganise if needed
Cosmetics – throw away all old bottles of shampoo, conditioner etc. Change toothbrushes and loofas
Extractor fan – take time to give your extractor fan some attention – replace any filters and make sure nothing is caught in there
Mould – check for signs of mould, especially on ceilings and around your windows
‘Spring cleaning’ is a concept we’re all familiar with! It is a busy month for many reasons, and as the winter melts away, there are many aspects of your home that could need some love and attention.
When the summer months arrive, we tend to spend more time outside. This is an excellent season to check up on your garden and other outside areas.
Now is the time to start preparing for colder weather, longer nights, and the damage that adverse weather conditions can do to your home.
As winter draws in, your maintenance will involve a lot of checking for damage after bouts of bad weather. Winter is the season for reactive chores rather than proactive tasks.
Alongside the maintenance of your home, you should take time every year to reassess your bills and see if you can make savings. Check the following: –
Whether you find cheaper providers for the above, make cutbacks on how much energy you use, or install more efficient appliances in your home – there is usually always a way to make a saving.
When the year is done and dusted, it’s time to start again.
Whilst completing this checklist, you should take notes to make next years process even easier. Note down how long specific jobs took you, where you have stored certain equipment for different tasks, and any useful phone numbers for tradespeople you used for specialist tasks like chimney sweeping and tree felling.
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HETAS, 2017. When should I get my chimney swept?. [Online] Available at: https://www.hetas.co.uk/when-chimney-swept/ [Accessed January 2021].
HOA, n.d. Home Maintenance Checklist. [Online] Available at: https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-managing-2/home-maintenance-checklist/ [Accessed January 2021].
Houzz, 2015. Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist. [Online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/houzz/2015/09/26/your-fall-home-maintenance-checklist/ [Accessed January 2021].
Ronseal, n.d. How to look after decking. [Online] Available at: https://www.ronseal.com/how-to-guides/how-to-look-after-decking/ [Accessed January 2021].
West London Gas, n.d. What Time Of Year Should I Book My Boiler Service?. [Online] Available at: https://www.westlondongas.com/what-time-of-year-should-i-book-my-boiler-service/ [Accessed January 2021].
[i] https://www.findleyroofingyorkshire.co.uk/13-early-signs-may-need-roof-replacement
[ii] https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-managing-2/home-maintenance-checklist/
[iii] https://www.ronseal.com/how-to-guides/how-to-look-after-decking/
[iv] https://www.westlondongas.com/what-time-of-year-should-i-book-my-boiler-service/
[v] https://www.forbes.com/sites/houzz/2015/09/26/your-fall-home-maintenance-checklist/
[vi] https://www.hetas.co.uk/when-chimney-swept/