For some homeowners, the term “home maintenance” can equate to waiting for things to really deteriorate or break around the house before they need to be fixed. But there are some things that should never be left ignored for long. Keep your home safe and sound by remembering these home maintenance tasks that you might be forgetting.
Checking the Smoke Alarms
If a fire erupts in your home, the difference between life and death can come down to those extra few seconds you get when you’re alerted by a smoke alarm. So don’t forget to test that it works each and every month. If you have multiple alarms, try placing a sticker with the date and time on them when you change the batteries to help you remember.
Inspecting Your Attic
It’s easy to forget about your attic. However, it’s one of the places in your home that needs to be routinely inspected for mould and pests. Fortunately, it only takes a few minutes to inspect your attic and catch issues early on before they can develop into more significant problems.
Cleaning Your Chimney
Another one of the home maintenance tasks you might be forgetting is to clean your chimney. If your house has a functioning fireplace, it’s essential to have it professionally cleaned out regularly. If you don’t give your chimney the attention it needs, a build-up of creosote on the inside walls can quickly lead to fire and result in hazardous smoke that can cause health problems. If you want to avoid these things, make sure you have your chimney cleaned twice a year, before and after the winter season.
Testing the Sump Pump
Many homes have a sump pump to prevent groundwater from leaching into the basement. Checking the condition of your sump pump periodically can help you avoid a flooded basement if something happens to go wrong. To ensure its properly working, unplug the sump pump and then plug it back in to see if it starts automatically. If it fails to turn on, you’ll need to get it repaired. If the pump starts, run water through it to make sure that the water gets pumped out of the hole.
Clearing the Dryer Vents
Did you know that a plugged dryer vent can cause a house fire? If lint and dust become clogged over time, this can block airflow causing exhaust gases to back up which can cause a fire. To avoid a disaster, be sure to remove the vent from the back of the dryer to clean it with a vent cleaning system before blowing it out with a vacuum.
Mistakes do happen. That’s why you need to have adequate home insurance coverage on hand to protect you. At Rowat Insurance, our home and cottage insurance plans are focused on safeguarding your home and protecting your loved ones. To get a property insurance quote, visit our website or contact us today!