On the Home Front Blog

Homeowner Responsibilities Series: Maintaining Your Home

by Brandon Simpson and Dan Lawson

Home Maintenance

In the first blog of our “Homeowner Responsibilities” series, we talked about home warranties, exploring what’s included and what’s not with a typical plan. It’s good to know that certain repairs and systems will be covered when the need arises, but it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to make sure their purchase is maintained regularly from year to year.

There are simple tasks that you may already be handling, such as changing air filters, testing your circuit breaker and replacing smoke detector batteries. In addition, it’s a good rule of thumb to conduct a walk-through of the inside and outside of your home annually to make sure certain features are in optimal shape.

Here’s a quick run-down of things to inspect:

Outside the Home

• Inspect the roof for any loose or missing shingles
• Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts to avoid an overflow
• Check garage floors, sidewalks, porches and patios for cracks or needed repairs
• Make sure the caulking on the outside of your windows has a good seal
• Look at siding for any abnormalities or peeling paint
• Keep your outside HVAC unit clear of leaves or debris

Inside the Home

• Examine drywall for cracks, nail pops or seam exposures
• Check wooden floors for scratches, gouges, discoloration or “soft” spots
• Scope out chipped or discolored bathroom tile
• Inspect sinks, toilets, showers/tubs and washing machine for leaks
• Make sure windows open and close easily

Systems

• Have a professional check your HVAC system annually, between warm and cool seasons
• Know where the water main, gas shut off and electrical breaker panel are located, in case you have to turn these off in an emergency
• Check for faulty light switches, dead outlets, breakers that trip and flickering lights

For a more a more detailed checklist, check our online Home Maintenance Guide.

Your home is a reflection of who you are, so naturally you want to make a good impression with a well-maintained home. Perhaps more important, keeping up your home will help to reduce energy consumption, lower your utility bills, increase the value of your home and save you money in the long run. Who can argue with that?

To learn more about building a custom-built home and our home warranty, call our AB Homes specialist at (757) 435-9900. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.

All the best,

Brandon and DanAB Homes Specialists

(757) 435-9900

We’d love to answer your questions! Call us to schedule an appointment to see our model home.

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