Where to start with home matience?

Sue Bracken
by Sue Bracken
  3 answers
  • Oliva Oliva on Jul 09, 2018

    Your roof, to keep you dry. Your furnace, to keep you warm, and preclude carbon monoxide poisoning. Hot water tank, for same reason, and for laundry and bathing, and to avoid flooding and burning out the element. Then plumbing, electric, windows and doors for insulation and security, major appliances, yard, etc. It almost never ends...😧

  • B. Enne B. Enne on Jul 09, 2018

    I agree. As long as there is no carbon monoxide issue, start with the outside to keep bugs, water and vermin out.

    If you have an electrical system that is dated and could be a fire hazard, it should be one of the 1st things to do as well.

    Any safety issues should be addressed first.

    I find it helps to then make a prioritized list. Keep an eye out for sales, and energy rebates. We changed our furnace at the same time as our central a/c, because we were able to get a better deal by buying both, and they were both the same age We then received 3 government rebates, 2 of which could not be obtained had we not bought both systems.

    If you just bought a home, and had a home inspection, I would start with what the inspector said needed more attention, and go from there.

    Have fun!



  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jul 09, 2018

    Hi Sue! Oliva covered it fairly well. I go by seasons. In the spring, it's time for repairs and sprucing up the outside. For example, we recently had a window replaced, and our chimney relined and partly redone once our heating season was done. Over the next couple of months, any other repainting or replacing will be addressed. The time to get your furnace and/or chimney cleaned and checked out is before heating season. Caulking on windows, doors, etc. is best done during warm weather. Check your attic for any leaks from the roof. Shingles and flashing need to be fixed before winter. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide and smoke alarms. If you replace an alarm, mark the date on the back. Most need replacing by the 10 year mark. Come fall, clean out your gutters before it gets too cold. We remove our air conditioners before late fall, cleaning them and storing them.

    Here's a checklist to help: https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/home-maintenance-checklist/