After looking at all sorts of Ridgewood homes for sale, you've found the one for you and are proudly beginning 2023 in your new place. Now your goal is to keep that home clean, safe, and in good repair. Here's a checklist to keep track of your 2023 home maintenance tasks and when to do them.
Monthly Maintenance
- Clean Garbage Disposals. Once a month, run the disposal with a handful of ice cubes, some baking soda, and a lemon peel. Ice keeps the blades sharp, baking soda keeps the disposal clean, and lemon peel helps eliminate bad odors.
- Clean Drains. Over time, hair and other debris build up in your sink and shower drains. Pour dish soap, baking soda, and vinegar down each drain to break up debris, then follow it with boiling water to get things flowing again. If that doesn't work, you may need to use tweezers to pull out stubborn hair clumps.
- Check for Leaks. Look at your A/C's refrigerant line, your sinks and toilets, and your ductwork for any leaks that may be causing damage and/or costing you money.
Quarterly Maintenance
- Replace Air Filter. Replace your HVAC system's air filter every three months to ensure good airflow in your home and maintain your indoor air quality. If you have pets or use the fireplace frequently, this may need to be done more often.
- Check Guest Bathroom. If you have a bathroom that doesn't see a lot of use, run some water through the drains and flush the toilets every few months to prevent dirt and grime from building up in the interim and impeding the flow of water.
- Check Water Softener. If you use a water softener, you should check the salt levels quarterly and replenish them if necessary. Be sure to check the type of salt the manufacturer recommends, and don't use any other kind.
Biannual Maintenance
- HVAC Maintenance. Every year in May, just before cooling season, schedule an A/C tuneup. Then in November, schedule a furnace tuneup. These bi-annual maintenance visits will help keep your HVAC system running more efficiently, with fewer breakdowns and a longer lifespan.
- Clean Gutters. Get a ladder and remove leaves, dirt, sticks, and other debris from your gutters. This helps maintain proper drainage and prevents ice dams.
- Replace Smoke Alarm Batteries. A good rule of thumb is, when you change your clocks, replace the batteries in your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector. Also, test them to ensure they're working properly. It's important they stay in good repair and doing it at the same time as the clock change will help you remember.
- Oil Your Garage Door. Every six months put a little WD-40 on your automatic garage door's hinges. Then open and close the door two or three times so the oil gets worked in and the door continues running smoothly.
Annual Maintenance
- Deep Clean. Once a year, clean your house top to bottom. This includes cleaning behind your refrigerator and washer/dryer, removing scales from inside shower heads, scrubbing window frames and patio doors, and more.
- Inspect Roof. Check the roof for missing or broken shingles and replace them. Otherwise, it can lead to roof leaks.
- Inspect Driveway. Are there cracks in your driveway? Left unchecked, they can damage your tires. Fill in small cracks in your driveway and walkways with crack filler. For cracks wider than half an inch, use driveway patches to keep the surface smooth.
Our agents can help you find a home you'll be proud to take care of for years to come. Contact us to learn more!
