Whether we are working with new home owners or doing routine home maintenance checks on existing customers’ homes, the same group of items keep popping up that are missed and need to be addressed.

Here are the 11 of the most common home maintenance items missed around your home:

#1 – Furnace Filters

Furnace filters need to be changed every 1-3 months depending on the conditions of your home, the number of people living in your there, if you have pets etc.

In the winter it you should be checking your filter at least once a month to make sure it is still ok.

#2 – Light Bulbs

As simple as it sounds, light bulbs seem to be one of those minor little things around homes that go out and seem to take a long time to get replaced.

Pot lights, bathroom fixtures, you name it, people usually wait until they are almost in the dark before replacing their light bulbs.

#3 – Exposed Electrical

Sounds scary, right? Many of the homes we go into have junction boxes that are missing cover plates, broken or cracked covers around switches and outlets and in some cases wires that are capped off and still exposed from some old renovation or repair

#4 – Clogged or Blocked Down Spouts and Eavestroughs

Leaves, ice, branches, frisbees, you name it, it shouldn’t be in there. It is important to regularly inspect your downspouts to make sure the water can get away from your foundation and your eavestroughs should be cleaned 1-2 times per year.

#5 – Caulking of Exterior Windows and Doors

Most people don’t realize the caulking (the stuff around doors and windows) on the exterior of their home needs to be redone every 3-5 years. The replacement time really depends on your climate and the level of exposure the caulking has to the sun.

Caulking is very important for your home as it helps keep water out and to help keep your heating or cooling in.

#6 – Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Can’t stress this enough, they need to be tested at least once a month and the batteries should be changed twice a year. Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors also come with expiry dates so make sure you are aware of the dates and if it does not have one and you don’t know how old it is, it should be replaced.

#7 – Drains

Drains are typically only addressed once there is a clog and need to be cleaned out or repaired. Not a fun job at all. Drains should be inspected monthly to make sure water is draining out correctly and cleaned if not.

We also see a number of missing “P” traps on drains which prevent sewer gases from coming back into your home. Normally these are caused by inexperienced contractors or DIYers who think they know how it should be done.

#8 – Shut off Valves

These little things that hide under your sinks, beside your toilets and on the water lines going outside normally do nothing for you unless there is an issue with your taps or toilet. This is the point where you realize that they either leak or in some cases you don’t have any.

We recommend turning your valves off and on once a month (when inspecting your drains is a great time) to make sure the o rings inside have not dried up or cracked. If your shut off valves are missing or broken, have them repaired or replaced immediately.

#9 – Door Seals

Similar to the caulking around your doors, the seals around your doors help to keep your heating in cooling in. Over time they so wear out and need to be replaced. If you can see daylight around your doors, they need to be replaced.

#10 – Loose Door handles and knobs

Everyone has them and I can imagine you can think of a couple in your home right now. They are not just your door handles, they are also your cupboards door handles, your drawer pulls, fridge and stove handles, etc.

While these are not big fixes, they can become very time consuming to look after.

#11 – Dryer vents

A hidden fire hazard in your home is all the lint that comes out of your dryer and then sits in the dryer line, gets trapped in one of the bends in the line or on the vent outside. Just like your ducts, your dryer line and vent need to be cleaned as well.

Final Thought

Looking after a home is not an easy task. It can be time consuming and confusing, however if you spend the time to look after all the maintenance items now, it will help you avoid bigger and more costly issues down the road.

At Bespoke, we offer ongoing home maintenance and home check services that help you look after all your home’s maintenance and repair needs. To learn more, please click on the banner below.

Thank you.

Andrew