Why Regular Home Maintenance Is So Important

You know you’re supposed to clean your home on a regular basis so it’s an enjoyable place to live. You probably even know that there are things you need to do to take care of it and keep it in good condition. Do you understand why home maintenance is so important though? It’s arguably one of the most important responsibilities you have as a homeowner.

Prevent Serious Issues

One of the most obvious things that home maintenance does is help prevent serious issues from cropping up. Homes wear down over time. Some of it’s due to exposure to the elements. Some of it’s because of the people who live in the home and the things they do to it. Doing regular home maintenance helps reduce the impact of these things by doing little bits here and there to repair damage and prevent it from getting worse. Make no mistake - houses don’t fix themselves. If something gets damaged, it’s only going to get worse over time, which is why regular maintenance is so important. Remember, homes are meant to last for a long time. The better you take care of and maintain the home, the longer it will last.

Maintain Your Home Value

It’s no secret that things that are in good condition tend to be more valuable than things that are more run down. Homes are no exception to this. By performing regular home maintenance, you protect and maintain the value of your home. This allows you to build equity, especially when you pay for the maintenance out of your own pocket. In some cases, you may even be able to increase the property’s value with different maintenance projects. This is crucial if you ever want to take out a HELOC or sell your home.

Reduce Home Insurance Claims

Unless your mortgage lender requires it, you probably aren’t required to carry home insurance. It’s still a good idea though. Home insurance can protect you financially if something were to happen to your home (though the specifics depend on your particular policy). Still, dealing with the claims process can take a while and be a huge pain. The good news is that regular home maintenance helps keep your home in good condition, reducing your chances of needing to file a claim in the first place. Remember, something that is in good shape is going to hold up better against all sorts of things than something in poor repair.

Save Money

Times are tough for most people these days. If you knew that keeping up on home maintenance could save you money, would you feel more inclined to do it? It’s true. Some home maintenance tasks could net you savings on your utility bills. Replacing your home entry doors reduces drafts and heat loss which can save you money. Then there’s the price tag associated with major repair jobs. Sure, you’ll probably have to shell out some cash to cover the cost of the maintenance that gets done, but it’s a whole lot less than you would have to in order to cover the costs of major damage.

Maintain Your Warranty

If you have any parts of your home or appliances within it that are covered by a warranty, maintenance is going to be critical in preserving the warranty. You can’t reasonably expect it to cover damage that is done because you failed to properly care for something. Make sure you understand the provisions within the warranty and do your best to follow them. That way you’ll have a better chance of being able to take advantage of it at some point. This alone could potentially save you quite a lot of money.

Preserve Your Home as a Safe Place to Live

No one should have to live in a home where they don’t feel safe. Sadly, that’s exactly what happens if you neglect to perform regular home maintenance over a long period of time. Things like regularly and thoroughly cleaning your home and performing minor repairs as needed help it continue to be a safe, healthy place to live. You’ll have a better chance at preventing mold growth, pest infestations, structural damage, and more. In today’s climate of uncertainty, the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’re safe in your own home can truly be invaluable.

Keeping up on regular home maintenance tasks is something every homeowner should do. It’s what keeps your home in good condition, preserves its value, and helps you enjoy the experience you have living in it. Sure, there are a ton of things on a thorough home maintenance list, but don’t give up and try not to feel too overwhelmed. Divide tasks up so that you can check things off the list throughout the year. That way you can get through the whole list and not feel like you’re being overwhelmed with having to do everything all at once.

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