One of the biggest hurdles people face in their new home is keeping it clean and in shape. Whether you’re moving into a place that just needs a bit of care, or you’re tackling a new build, here are nine tips to keep your house running smoothly.
Check for termite damages and then treat
If you are new to homeownership, or if your house is relatively new, it is important to check for termite damage. Termites are destructive little creatures that can quickly take apart a home if left unchecked. If you find any evidence of termite activity, start treating the areas immediately. Here are some tips on how to check for and treat termite damage:
1. Look for signs of termite activity. The most common sign of termite activity is an accumulation of mud in corners or along the edges of walls where they have been entering and exiting the structure. You may also see tunnels dug up from the ground near your home.
2. Check any wood that appears to be damaged or rotten. Termites eat through wood, so if it appears damaged, there’s a good chance they’ve been at work. Additionally, look for any exposed roots or logs – these are common hiding places for termites.
3. If you find evidence of termite activity, seal all cracks and openings where termites could enter (for example: around plumbing lines, electrical wires and under eaves). Eliminate food sources by filling in holes in foundation walls and removing objects that could provide shelter (e.g.: discarded furniture). Seal all entry points into attics and crawl spaces with insect-repelling caulk or tar paper; treat any areas where moisture accumulates (i.e.: around windows and doors).
4 . Once termites are eliminated, treat the areas where they were active with an appropriate Insecticide.
Check for mold
1. If you’re buying a new house, your first step is to inspect it for signs of mold. Mold can cause serious health problems, so it’s important to catch it before it becomes a problem.
2. Next, check the roof and walls for leaks. Water can spread mold quickly, so be sure to fix any leaks as soon as possible.
3. Finally, look for any damage or signs of pests or moisture intrusion inside the house. If you notice anything unusual or suspect that your home has been adversely affected by mold, contact a professional immediately.
Fix broken windows and doors
If you’re like most homeowners, you’re probably concerned about keeping your new house in good shape. You may be tempted to fix broken windows and doors yourself, but there are a few things you should know first.
Windows and doors are heavy and can easily fall off their hinges if not properly installed or maintained. Not only will this damage your home, it could also put you at risk of serious injury.
It’s important to have a professional do the job right the first time. Hiring a contractor will save you time and money down the road. Plus, they’ll be able to take care of any problems that arise along the way.
Fix a leaking roof
If you’re like most homeowners, your first instinct when something goes wrong is to call a repairman. But before you do that, you may want to try some of these tips to fix a leaking roof on your own.
First and foremost, make sure the roof is properly sealed. This means checking for and fixing any cracks or leaks around the edge of the roof, as well as sealing up any holes or tears in the membrane.
Next, check for weather damage–especially if there’s been a lot of rain recently. If there are large areas of missing shingles or broken tiles, it’s likely that it will rain through those areas again soon and cause more damage.
Finally, check for signs of water penetration–a sign that the roof might be about to fail altogether. If you live in Orland Park and notice that your roof is leaking, it’s time to call a roofing company nearby. A leaky roof can lead to major water damage inside your home, and can even cause structural damage.
Repair any electrical defects
One of the most important things you can do is to repair any electrical defects. If there are problems with lights, appliances, or wiring, fixing them as soon as possible with the help of an electric service provider will save you time and money down the road.
Here are some tips on how to repair electrical defects:
1. Check for loose wires:
One of the first things you should do when trying to diagnose an electrical problem is to check for loose wires. If there are hanging wires and coils throughout the house, it’s likely that something is wrong with the wiring itself. When these cables get pulled out of place, they can cause serious problems with your appliances and lights. To check for loose wires, first use a voltmeter to verify the voltage at various points in the house. Be sure to test all light fixtures and receptacles, as well as any plugs that might be attached to walls or surge protectors.
2. Test for broken switches and circuit boards:
Another common issue with faulty wiring is broken switches and circuit boards. If one of these components becomes damaged, it can cause dangerous fluctuations in voltage across entire circuits. To detect these faults, use a multimeter to measure resistance between different points in the house and look for areas where readings are consistently high or low (indicating a blown fuse or defective board). It’s also important to check all cords and cables for fraying or signs of damage.
3. Check for broken wires:
If you find any broken wires, the best course of action is to cut them off at the source and replace the entire wire as needed. Make sure to use a wire stripper to strip away any insulation, then use a voltmeter to verify the voltage at various points in the house. Finally, attach a temporary clamp to one end of the new wire and plug it into an outlet. Once the clamp registers a safe voltage, carefully remove it and install the new wire in its place.
4. Replace blown fuses:
If you find that there are areas in your home where the voltage is consistently high or low, it’s likely that there are blown fuses installed nearby. To test for this condition, first use a multimeter to measure the current flowing through an individual fuse (the higher the reading, the more fried the fuse). If you find a blown fuse, replace it with a new one and repeat the test. If the problem persists, it might be necessary to replace all the fuses in an area before anything else can be done.
Change your furnace filter regularly
Regularly changing your furnace filter is one of the simplest ways to keep your home in good condition. Not only will it help to reduce the amount of dust and dirt that accumulates over time, but it will also help to prevent possible allergies and asthma attacks. By regularly cleaning your furnace filter, you can also save yourself a lot of money in repairs down the road. Here are some tips on how to change your furnace filter:
1. Check the manufacturer’s instruction manual for proper filters for your specific furnace model.
2. Remove the old filter from the furnace by loosening any screws or bolts that may be holding it in place.
3. If there are none, gently pry up on the filter with a flathead screwdriver until it separates from the ductwork.
4. Throw away the old filter and replace it with a new one of equal or greater size (see chart below). Be sure to seal all gaps around the edges of the new filter with Teflon tape or a similar material before replacing it in its housing.
5. Replace any screws or bolts that were removed in step 2, then restore any parts of ductwork that were damaged during removal (such as insulation).
6 Turn on your furnace and wait two minutes for it to reach operating temperature before returning downstairs.
Change your heating oil
When you’re ready to sell your home, it’s important to remember that the new buyer will be coming in with their own set of expectations. They may not be familiar with all the quirks and features of your old house, so it’s important to make sure everything is in good shape before they come over.
One way to ensure that your new house looks its best is to change your heating oil regularly. Not only will this keep the walls, ceilings, and floors free from build-up, but it also ensures that the heating system is running at its peak efficiency. By switching to a better oil, you can save money on your energy bill each month – which is sure to please your new buyer!
Do some leaf removal (cut trees back)
Leaf removal is a common task homeowners have to do in order to maintain their homes. Not only does it help keep the home clean and tidy, but it can also help improve air circulation and reduce energy costs. Here are some tips for removing leaves:
- Use a leaf blower: this is the most effective way to remove leaves from large areas quickly
- Use a rake: use this method to remove smaller leaves or those that are stuck on the ground
- Screwdriver: use this tool to pry leaves off of trees or branches
- Tape measure: use this tool to measure the circumference of a leaf and then cut it with scissors
Keep your house clean
Keeping your home clean is one of the most important things you can do to make it a comfortable place to live. Not only will it make your house look good, but it will also reduce the amount of work you have to do when cleaning. Here are some tips for keeping your new house in good shape:
1. Make a schedule. Creating a regular cleaning schedule will help you get into the habit of cleaning and help avoid letting things pile up.
2. Clean as you go. When you clean, take care not to leave anything dirty or untidy behind. This will help keep your surfaces clean and free from clutter.
3. Clean appliances and tools regularly. Cleaning appliances and tools keeps them running smoothly and prevents them from becoming cluttered and messy over time.
4. Remove everything before you go. When you’re done with a room, take everything out—even if it’s just a chair or table—so that the area can be cleaned more easily. This also helps keep surfaces clear so that they can be used more efficiently.
5. Keep furniture tidy and organized. Keeping furniture tidy and organized helps reduce the amount of time needed to find what you’re looking for, which in turn frees up more time to clean other areas of the house.
