Having your own house is a great joy, but also a big responsibility. We all want our homes to look their best, but it needs to be in good working order as well. Both dry and rainy seasons in Florida can present a challenge for keeping your house in perfect shape. The key to achieving this goal is efficient planning and regular inspection of all the things that make your home comfortable and pleasant. This task may seem intimidating, especially if you are not used to it. Luckily, this simple Florida home maintenance guide should help you accomplish it.
A home maintenance schedule is crucial
An efficient plan will help you organize your activities and do everything in a timely fashion. It’s better to prevent problems or tackle them early on than to wait for them to escalate. Not only will it lessen the amount of work and effort required, but it will also be cheaper in the long run.
No matter if you are thinking of moving to Florida or you’ve already hired trustworthy movers at promoversmiami.com to help you get there, you probably know that the weather plays a crucial role. The hot summer days are not the best time to mend the exterior of your home. It’s better to leave it for more moderate days of early spring. You can do smaller repairs or improvements inside your home during the colder days. The first step is to make a yearly home maintenance calendar – prepare a list of all inspections and checks you need to do and appoint each of them to the appropriate month of the year.
Everything you should check inside your home
To make your home a cozy and enjoyable place, you should conduct regular inspections. It doesn’t matter whether it’s your property or you want your rental to feel like home; you have to make sure that everything functions properly. Here are some things that you should pay special attention to:
- Leaks and water damage – you don’t want water stains, mold, or mildew in your house! Look for the water stains on the walls, especially in the basement and the attic.
- Water heater – service it regularly. You must drain the water tank several times a year. If you’re not sure you can do it yourself, hire a professional.
- Plumbing – you can probably take care of dripping faucets yourself, but leaky pipes or clogged drains are a greater risk so inspect them regularly.
- Heating/cooling system – whether you want to stay cool during the heat or keep warm during colder days, your HVAC system is essential. Change the air filters about once a month.
- Safety measures – check that your fire extinguisher is in good order. Also, replace batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least once a year.
Get creative
In case everything is going smoothly, you can probably afford some time to spend redecorating the interior of your house. Rearrange the furniture and add some paintings. Or, if you feel brave, update your basement or attic!
You can declutter and get rid of items you don’t need, and if they are things you rarely use but still want to keep, you might consider putting them in storage. If you need a proper place for keeping your tools or working equipment and machines, find a reliable company that offers storage services. They’ll take good care of them, and you can remodel your attic as a home theatre or playroom!
The outside of your home is also important
Our Florida home maintenance guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the exterior of it as well. Inspect your gutters; they can become clogged with debris and leaves, so put it in your plan to clean them at least once a year. By changing outdoor light bulbs, you can accomplish several things – choose the bulbs that will be energy efficient and repel annoying insects. Your home will be safer and more beautiful.
Roofs, doors, and windows can cause leaks, too. Look for water stains or mold and, if necessary, repair them as soon as possible. The foundation should also be kept in good condition. Walk around the exterior of your house and check for cracks, water damage, or discoloration. These are all signs that there are issues of which you should take care. Repairs of this sort can be quite expensive, so it’s better to do them early on. Regular inspections won’t only make your house safe, but they can also boost its value. Whether you want to sell it or not, making your property more valuable is always a good idea.
A fantastic yard will make your home more enjoyable
Having a yard is a splendid advantage; you can spend more time outdoors, work in your garden or have a nice, cold glass of lemonade and relax. Hot summer days can be perfect for a party by the pool or barbecue with friends. It offers a lot of possibilities, but it also demands regular maintenance. Late spring and early summer days are ideal for tending your yard and making repairs or improvements.
A tidy and well-kept yard will make your house look more visually appealing and more pleasant for yourself and your family. Mow your lawn regularly and provide enough water for tending it during the dry season. Prune any bushes or hedges that you have. Plants and flowers also require weeding and watering on a regular basis. It would be a good idea to check the trees if you have them. Check whether they look healthy and whether any limbs are dangerously close to your house.
If you have a pool, it is essential to keep it clean. Remove debris and leaves from the water. Filters and valves should also be kept in check. Inspect the water levels and chemical levels about once a week. You can also find a professional service to check your pool from time to time, so it will always be safe and clean.
Florida home maintenance guide – final tips
This list certainly seems long and maybe even a bit daunting, but don’t worry! Follow this Florida home maintenance guide, make a good plan and keep to it, and your home will be in the best shape possible. Regular checks and inspections are imperative, but it doesn’t mean that there will always be extensive house repairs to be done. Catch the problems early, solve them, and you will be able to relax and enjoy.