Keeping up on home maintenance can be tough. If you’re like most homeowners, you have so many chores on your plate that you may find it tempting to postpone certain tasks. Even though it’s understandable, there are many areas of the house that need your consistent attention. Here are a few things in your home that you shouldn’t neglect.
Hot Water Heater
While a cold shower is the last thing anyone wants to experience in the morning, there’s more to worry about with your hot water tank than just the temperature. As you use your water heater, small amounts of sediment begin to collect at the base of the tank. Over time, this buildup can cause damage to the tank. Sediment buildup can also damage electric water heater systems. To keep these essential devices running smoothly, be sure to drain the sediment from the water heater at least once or twice each year.
Washer & Dryer
If you only use them once or twice a week, your washer or dryer can easily become an afterthought. Unfortunately, these essential appliances can cause damage to your home if neglected for too long. The drain hose on the washing machine can become clogged with cloth fibers, preventing water from leaving the appliance. This could cause your washer to overflow and create a small flood of water in your home. As for the dryer, failing to regularly clean its vent could lead to huge problems. When excess lint collects, it can plug up the vent and could cause a fire to start.
Water Stains on Drywall
Anytime there are visible water stains on your drywall — even a small stain — it’s important to take action. Stains can appear on the walls for a number of reasons including a burst pipe or roof damage. If allowed to sit, water could cause mold to develop, rot wooden frames or damage the flooring of your home.
Roof
Problems with your roof can cause more than drywall damage. Small signs of trouble can turn into major issues if left unattended to. For example, damages to the roof from wind, rain or flying debris could deteriorate the roof and compromise its integrity. Excess moisture collected by moss or algae could cause mildew and rot in your home’s ceiling, insulation and even electrical systems.
The Importance of Home Maintenance
Keeping a consistent home maintenance schedule is an easy way to help prevent small damages from becoming expensive problems. Neglecting areas of your home like the roof, drywall and appliances could potentially lead to malfunctioning equipment, water damage or even fires.
For more helpful home maintenance tips that can help you keep your house safe, visit our blog. If you would like to be sure your roof is intact, call First Quality Roofing for a quality inspection today!