Many people start the new year thinking about ways to improve their health, become more organized, and manage their finances. Experts say there is one area that touches each of those resolutions – home care.
Early and regular home maintenance goes beyond fixing visual damage. This helps ensure a healthy living environment, extends the life of the home and can protect its long-term value, according to real estate professionals. Planning ahead for routine maintenance and unexpected emergencies can reduce the risk of costly repairs later and help spread expenses more evenly throughout the year.
According to research from the US Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, about three-quarters of existing homes are expected to still be in use in 2050.
“Repairing the homes we have is absolutely essential to protecting our health and our well-being,” said Amanda Reddy, executive director of the National Center for Healthy Housing, an organization that conducts research and advocates to reduce housing-related health disparities.
Regardless of who owns the property, Reddy says, the goal is to keep homes dry, clean, pest-free, well-ventilated and safe, which means different types of maintenance depending on the type of home, where someone lives and the time of year. Here’s what experts say about home care and tasks to put on your checklist this year:
Home care involves big projects and everyday decisions
According to the National Human Activity Patterns Survey, on average, Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, 70% at residence.
“We don’t just spend time indoors, we spend time at home. It’s even more if you’re older, younger, have health concerns, or work from home,” Reddy said, emphasizing why home care is a valuable investment.
What most people think of maintenance involves addressing water and gas leaks, insect infestations, cracks and other major repairs, but home builders say not everything needs a professional and can include simple tasks like cleaning counters and floors of food waste, opening windows for better ventilation or emptying clogged filters and drains.
Residents should also consider the needs of the occupants of the home, including commonly used spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms, and commonly neglected areas such as attics and basements. Reddy says “wherever we are spending time” or often neglecting and perhaps prioritizing necessary maintenance.
“At the end of the day, doing any preventive maintenance is more than just doing it perfectly or just in time,” Reddy said. “But timing can make a big difference. A lot of these jobs are seasonal or annual, and you’re only going to do it once. Homes are under different stresses at different times of the year, so seasonal maintenance helps us fix problems before environmental stresses make them worse.”
Seasonal maintenance to plan for year-round
When it comes to maintenance, planning and preparing for expected and regular changes in the environment helps reduce natural wear and tear on the exterior of the home and helps create healthy conditions inside – where most people seek shelter from extreme weather events.
“What happens outside the house rarely stays outside the house. What happens outside goes in, what happens inside makes it,” said Reddy, noting that fluctuating outdoor conditions stress equipment and systems at different times of the year. “For many people, the seasonal rhythm not only makes sense because of those stresses, it’s more realistic and effective than trying to tackle a long, overwhelming checklist all at once.”
For example, experts say the best time to prepare for cold and wet weather, hurricanes and other natural disasters is to address concerns before the temperature drops. Similarly, residents are recommended to address systems in their homes that work to mitigate the effects of extreme high temperatures, dry and drought conditions, and related risks such as wildfires and air quality in the off-season.
Professional guidance from home inspectors, builders and real estate agents says that spring and summer tasks should focus on preparing for warmer weather. Experts recommend checking air conditioning systems, cleaning dryer vents to prevent fire hazards, testing sprinkler systems, tending to gardens and plants around the home’s exterior, and inspecting appliances, electrical equipment and plumbing fixtures. Experts also say spring cleaning and any home projects that involve painting or remodeling are unlikely to be delayed by rain at that time.
During the fall and winter months, experts recommend focusing on temperature control and air quality measures as people seek shelter indoors during the coming cold weather. U.S. Home Inspectors training guides check heating systems, clean air filters, make sure carbon monoxide detectors are working, seal air leaks, prioritize pest control, clean and repair roofs and chimneys, and inspect drainage options in and around homes.
