You closed on your first home, unpacked the boxes, and are starting to make your new space your own.
Now what?
Homeownership isn’t just about decorating to make your home look good. It’s also about staying on top of the regular maintenance that keeps your home in good shape. Many new homeowners don’t realize that some of the most important maintenance projects are things you can’t see—but ignoring them can lead to expensive repairs or hefty energy bills.
We’ve rounded up 8 important but often-overlooked regular home maintenance tasks every new homeowner should tackle to keep their home in tip-top shape.
#1: Clean out clogged gutters
There are some tasks no one notices if you do them — but that you can’t miss if you neglect them. Cleaning gutters is one of them.
This messy job is one of the most important things you can do to protect your home’s foundation, siding, and roof. Here’s why: When gutters are full of leaves and debris, water can’t drain properly and will overflow and run down your siding or pool around your foundation, leading to water damage, mold, and basement leaks. Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year—once in the spring and again in the fall after the leaves drop. Wear gloves and use a gutter scoop to remove all the gunk, then rinse with a hose to ensure water can flow freely. Once they’re clear, you might want to add gutter guards to keep debris out.
#2: Schedule a chimney inspection
If your home has a fireplace or wood-burning stove, don’t assume it’s safe to light a fire just because the chimney looks clean. Hire a certified chimney sweep every fall to check for creosote buildup, animal nests, critters or structural damage that can make your chimney a serious fire hazard. They’ll also check that the damper is working, and the chimney cap is secure so you can enjoy your fireplace all winter long without any worries. And while you’re at it? Place an order for firewood so you’re well stocked for cold winter nights.
#3: Replace HVAC filters
Did you know your heating and cooling system needs a clean air filter to run efficiently? If the filter is dirty or clogged not only does your system work harder, but airflow is reduced so your bills are higher. A dirty filter can also let dust, allergens, and pollutants circulate throughout your home.
Replacing the filter is one of the easiest home maintenance tasks you can do. It takes just minutes and should be done every 1–3 months, depending on the filter type and whether you have pets, allergies, or construction dust in the home. Check your system’s manual to find the right size, then just slide out the old filter, slide in a new one, and you’re set.
#4: Drain the water heater
Over time, sediment builds up in your water heater tank, and that buildup can make the unit less efficient and shorten its lifespan. Draining the tank once a year helps flush out sediment and keeps your tank running smoothly.
To drain it, turn off the heater, shut off the water supply to the tank, and connect a hose to the drain valve (to locate it, look near the bottom). Run the hose outside or into a floor drain, then open the valve to let the water and sediment drain out. Once it’s empty, close the valve, turn the water supply back on, and power up the heater again.
If your water heater is older, adding a Frost King water heater insulation blanket can reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45% and save you about 7%–16% in water heating costs, according to energy.gov. It’s an easy project; this video shows you how it’s done:
#5: Check weatherstripping around doors and windows
Windows and doors that aren’t properly sealed can let in drafts, moisture, and pests. Make it a point to regularly check for any gaps or cracks around doors and windows, and seal them with weatherstripping to prevent air leaks that make your house feel cold and your heating bills skyrocket. It’s a simple fix with a big pay off in comfort and efficiency. Watch this video for an easy how-to on sealing gaps:
#6: Test your sump pump
If your home has a basement with a sump pump, don’t wait until a storm hits to find out it’s not working. Test it by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit until the float rises and the pump kicks on. It should start draining the water right away. If nothing happens—or if it runs slowly or loudly—repair or replace it before the next big rainstorm.
#7: Inspect attic ventilation
Poor attic ventilation can lead to a number of expensive problems, from mold growth and moisture damage to higher cooling costs in the summer and heating costs in the winter. Warm air rising from your lower floors needs a place to escape, and your attic vents play a key role in that process. Check for blocked soffit or ridge vents, signs of mold or mildew, and damp insulation. If your attic feels excessively hot or musty, improve airflow by clearing obstructions, installing a fan, or adding more vents.
#8: Winter-proof your outdoor water spigots
When freezing temperatures hit, any water left in exterior pipes or hose bibs can freeze and expand, causing the pipes to burst. Repairing that kind of damage isn’t cheap, so before winter hits be sure to disconnect any hoses and drain them. Then shut off the interior water valve that supplies the outdoor spigot and open it to let any remaining water drain out.
Once that’s done, install a Frost King Faucet Protector over outdoor spigots to keep them from freezing. Find step-by-step installation instructions here:
