There comes a time when each of us must ask, “Do I want to be a property owner?” Comparing the rising rent prices and the cost of a monthly mortgage could really get us thinking. Even if you’re a long-time property owner, there are tons of things to take into consideration. You could unintentionally be forgetting certain important maintenance practices. Does this or that seem to need replacing often? Have you had to call a professional handyman about a certain issue too many times to count? If so, oftentimes, the best way to avoid this vicious cycle is consistent maintenance. Maintenance on what, though, you ask? Let’s look at 3 commonly overlooked areas of property maintenance that will have you confidently feeling in control of your property’s needs.
1. Gutters
Gutters are a blessing and a curse. They protect your roof and home from rain and water damage. They can also get clogged with all sorts of organic debris. When gutters are clogged or in disrepair, this is where the trouble really kicks in.
Since gutters are typically up much higher than we can see, they tend to be, as the phrase suggests, out of sight, out of mind. Thankfully, gutters are relatively easy to maintain if you keep a close eye on them. The best way to do this is by inspecting the state of your gutters and downspout at least twice every year during Spring and Fall. If you happen to live in a heavily wooded area, you’ll want to assess them even more frequently since there are more opportunities for debris to wind up in your gutters. This is the case for many residents of Columbia, SC where T/M Maintenance is located.
Wearing work gloves to carefully scoop out the debris and spraying everything down will help you to see what steps need to be taken next.
Ok, so now that we’ve looked at the gutters, what’s next on the list?
2. Water Heater
Surprised by this one? Many people are! Having to pay for a brand-new water heater is always painful both on the wallet and on the person removing/installing it. The good news is that you can prolong the life of this commonly overlooked household staple.
Our water heaters do so much for us, and there’s something we can do for them, too. It is recommended to flush a water heater once every year in order to remove sediment and mineral deposits left behind from hard water. This will ensure that nothing gets clogged or damaged internally and that your water stays the correct temperature.
Another way to support the hard work of your water heater is to replace the anode rod. What this anode rod does is actually pretty cool! It attracts all of the little particles that cause rust. So, instead of compromising the metal walls of your water heater, the anode rod takes one for the team. Neat! As you can imagine, it doesn’t last forever, so it’s important to replace this piece to keep things running smoothly. While this does not have to be done annually, it should be done every few years.
Your water heater is happy and healthy! What’s the third maintenance area?
3. Clothes Dryer
Even though these solid pieces of machinery are built to last, they absolutely need some maintenance from time to time.
About once per year, it’s a good idea to pull the dryer away from the wall, disconnect it, and clean any sneaky lint in the dryer duct that got past the lint trap. Since tumbling clothes in the dryer puts off a lot of heat, it’s a legitimate safety concern that the lint may catch fire. Yikes! Cleaning the dryer hookup can therefore prolong the life of your dryer and help to remove any fire hazards. It’s a win-win!
In short, there are plenty of property maintenance needs that go overlooked. Our lives could suddenly be turned upside down by leaking gutters, a ruined water heater, or a dangerous clothes dryer if we don’t give them the attention they need. We can break the cycle of frequent appliance replacement with these few simple examples. No more repairman calls, no more unnecessary expenses, and control over your property’s maintenance needs.
Sounds pretty good, don’t you think?
For more tips, tricks, and maintenance topics, check out our blog page.