Home Maintenance Tips
- Adam Garrett
- Aug 16, 2023
- 11 min read
Updated: Oct 2, 2024
In this article, I wanted to provide some home maintenance tips geared toward new homeowners. Please keep in mind that I am only a real estate agent, and not a licensed contractor, insurance agent, plumber, etc.
Preliminary Considerations:
DIY vs Hired Out?
There are some items that are best for property owners to maintain themselves, while other items may not be worth the time for owners to learn about (if they're not already familiar) & do themselves, especially if paying someone else to do the job would be a low amount per hour, there are certain valuable guarantees provided by that company in the event of issues, and the primary income of the owner is a high amount per hour. Even if you hire out many service contracts, it's still a good idea to a check yourself throughout your home's interior & exterior once every Fall & once every Spring for issues.
Self Inspect or Have Someone Else Inspect Regularly
As time goes by, carefully inspect the interior and exterior of your home periodically, looking out for moisture issues that start small and grow. Do careful inspections on items soon before warranty expiration, whether for home warranty, warranty on any new appliances, etc.
Home Warranties
It's best to have your home warranty starting the day that you close on your home. You'll get it cheaper that way, and if something happens in week 1, you'll be covered. Be familiar with what exactly your home warranty covers, & consider adding to it or adding separate warranties.
Home Insurance
It's best to have your home insurance starting the day that you close on your home even if you purchase in cash. If something happens in week 1, you'll be covered. Be familiar with what exactly your home insurance covers. With some items, you may want separate policies, and keep in mind that if something like jewelry results in a home insurance claim, your home insurance prices may go up in a way that can not just negatively impact you but also negatively impact future prospective buyers since prior claims do have an impact. I've heard a horror story here about a small claim resulting in increased home insurance prices where the difference exceeded the value of the claim in a short time.
Types of Maintenance:
Preparing Your Home for Extreme Cold
SE VA isn't known for extreme cold, but temperatures can get below freezing and severe damage can still occur. I recall walking into a home where the pipes had burst where we had to contact the listing agent about the issue. It's a good idea to check the weather in the Winter on occasion in the event of an incoming cold snap so that you'll have time to prepare. Here's my article on preparations for extreme cold.
If you're my current or former client and your pipes freeze or your electricity &/or heat goes out during the Winter, let me know & I may be able to make some propane &/or electric space heaters available for pickup as long as you're able to return it within 1 week in the same condition (i.e. propane tanks full as they were when picked up).
Crawlspace
If you have a crawlspace, it's best to have yourself, a professional, or a robot (especially if a very tight space) go through your crawlspace at least once a year looking for trouble, whether it's snakes, raccoons, rats, termites, wood rot, mold, or otherwise.
Driveway & Sidewalk
It's best to avoid using chemical de-icers or salt on your driveway or sidewalk if it snows or ices.
If you power wash your driveway or sidewalk, which can be a great way to make it look good (especially before listing for sale or rent), be sure to go behind it with a sealant. Keep in mind that sealant tends to wear off over time even without any washes, so don't think that you don't need to do anything between many-year gaps in cleaning.
Ayers Window and Gutter Cleaning or Commonwealth Commercial Cleaning in SE VA are who I recommend if looking to hire out the washing of your SE VA driveway & sidewalk.
Fire Reduction/Prevention
Follow the tips from the following, including but not limited to ensuring the following:
1. fire alarms are properly placed, batteries are present, devices aren't older than 10 years,
2. fire suppression measures are available
3. rooms that shouldn't be used as bedrooms due to no ingress/egress aren't used for sleeping
4. escape plans are available from the second floor if there's no way to get down the stairs
5. all in the home are familiar with fires, including small children, and what to do in the event of one
Foundation Exterior
Look out for growth on your foundation exterior and don't allow plant growth too close. It's ideal to not have any wooden mulch within 1 foot of your foundation. In higher end homes, it's relatively common to see a 1'-2' barrier between the home foundation & wooden mulch, whether that barrier is in the form of aggregate, rock, or more seldom, rubber mulch. Some would prefer to do away with wooden mulch altogether in favor of rubber mulch or rock, which can be more expensive initially, but can produce strong long term dividends.
Gutter
Especially if you don't have gutter guards and have plenty of trees that drop leaves & other things, be sure to have a regimen for cleaning your gutters, whether you do it DIY or have it hired out. As long as you have the right equipment this can easily be done DIY, and even without equipment, as long as you are safe, some roofs can be done. I prefer using a blower with a gutter attachment as well as a ladder if on a 2 story home, while on a 1 story home, no ladder is needed for me with a blower and gutter attachment. Be mindful of clogs especially before & after big storms also.
Ayers Window and Gutter Cleaning in SE VA is who I recommend if looking to hire out the cleaning of your SE VA gutters.
If you're my current or former client and would like to borrow my larger ladder, blower & gutter attachment for a gutter cleaning, let me know & I can make it & a ladder available for pickup as long as you're able to return it within 48 hrs.
HVAC/AC Maintenance
AC/HVAC Maintenance 2x/yr (once before you first turn on the AC every year and once before you first turn on the heat every year) is important.
In addition to unit maintenance, regularly changing out your air filters is important whether you're doing it at your home or doing it at your tenants' home. While opinions vary on frequency, and the filter type that you use is a factor, serviceexperts.com states,
"How often you have to change the air filters may be on the following:
Air filter design
Overall indoor air quality
Quantity of pets
Household size
Air pollution levels and construction near the residence
The MERV Rating"
They recommend:
"A 1" pleated air filter must be replaced every 30-60 days.
A 2" pleated air filter should be swapped out every 3 months.
A 3” pleated air filter should be changed out every 120 days.
A 4" pleated air filter should be exchanged every 6 months.
A 5” or 6" pleated air filter ought to be replaced every 9-12 months.
Here are averages that may help you understand how regularly you should install a new air filter at your residence:
Vacation house or an individual occupant and no pets or allergies: every 6–12 months
Common suburban home without pets: every 3 months
A single dog or cat: every 2 months
More than one pet or if anyone has allergies: 20–45 days"
They state, "if you acquire an older system, plan to replace the filter more often to maintain the quality of your filter."
Mold
Mold remediation is one of those issues that some can do effectively DIY, but that is really easy to mess up DIY as well. Before getting sick or attempting to remediate mold, be sure to do your homework on the requirements to eliminate mold and the problems that can be associated with different types of mold remediation. For instance, contrary to popular belief, per the EPA, "The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup."
Plumbing
There are a number of plumbing issues that can be solved effectively DIY, especially if you start with preventative measures like using hair catchers, which are also good for the environment. That said, I've seen some pretty bad situations when someone who didn't know what they were doing attempted a plumbing job, so if in doubt, be sure to monitor closely soon after the work is completed or hire a professional (ideally a plumber, especially for a job that's not simple).
Many owners like to use Draino and similar products. If you do a Google search for simply "is Draino good", you'll find a number of plumbers that are pretty anti-Draino & similar products due primarily to corrosion of your pipes over time, especially if the pipes are more than 20 years old. If you're a landlord, I advise banning the tenants from use of Draino & similar products in your property. If a drain is clogged, often owners can use things like a drain snake to remove hair & other debris.
If you're my current or former client and would like to borrow my boroscope to look into your plumbing, let me know & I can make it available for pickup as long as you're able to return it within 48 hrs.
If you're my current or former client and your pipes freeze or your electricity &/or heat goes out during the Winter, let me know & I can make some propane &/or electric space heaters available for pickup as long as you're able to return it within 1 week in the same condition (i.e. propane tanks full as they were when picked up).
Related:
How to Clear a Clogged Shower Drain With a Drain Snake (The Spruce)
Roof
Be mindful of the year (actual or approximate) that your roof was put in, the number of years that your roof is rated for, and any adverse conditions that could cause your roof to deteriorate faster than typical. If you see growth on any of your roofs, whether on your home, your shed, or a detached structure like a garage, consider putting zinc or copper strips along the top to slowly kill that growth. Going straight to the power washer can cause many granules to come off your shingles, so a softer, more gradual, & softer approach is superior.
Free temporary roofs may be available. "Operation Blue Roof is managed by the Corps for FEMA. The purpose of Operation Blue Roof is to provide homeowners in disaster areas with fiber-reinforced plastic sheeting to cover their damaged roofs until arrangements can be made for permanent repairs. Operation Blue Roof protects property, reduces temporary housing costs, and allows residents to remain in their homes while recovering from the storm.
This is a free service to homeowners. Operation Blue Roof protects property, reduces temporary housing costs, and allows residents to remain in their homes while recovering from the storm."
Siding
Don't allow your neighbors to have an eye sore from siding that's heavily stained, but be sure not to damage your home (& especially windows) in the process of a severe power wash. A soft wash is a good approach using cleaners.
Ayers Window and Gutter Cleaning or Commonwealth Commercial Cleaning in SE VA are who I recommend if looking to hire out the washing of your SE VA siding.
Termites & Wood Destroying Insects
Termites & wood destroying insects are a common problem in SE VA. Consider a termite &/or pest service agreement. For pests, a careful search & sealing of any potential points of entry is one of the most cost-effective methods of preventing nuisances, although that doesn't help with termites. A termite treatment at least once every 5 years if you do not put your home under a service contract is recommended. Consider Commonwealth Exterminating for your SE VA termite & wood destroying insect needs.
Water Heater Maintenance
Water heater maintenance 1x-2x/yr in my opinion, is often best done DIY for most as long as you're willing to do it consistently & rightly. Water heater maintenance is more simple than HVAC maintenance, but the type of water heater you use determines what kind of maintenance is needed.
Wood Rot & Paint
If you ever see signs of wood rot, be sure to remediate the issue & the source of the issue quickly, whether you have a leaky roof, leaky sink, or paint is peeling on your exterior, or otherwise. After replacing wood, be sure that it's protected well, and be careful about the kind of wood used for replacement. Treated lumber may be more expensive than basic OBS, but in the elements, even with paint, will typically be a lot better. If painting treated lumber (i.e. for a deck), be sure to not paint or stain too quickly after purchase (unless kiln dried), but follow the minimum recommendations prior to painting, prep the wood for painting, & use the right kind of paint that is best for pressure treated wood.
If you're my current or former client and would like to borrow my moisture meter for a wood moisture test, let me know & I can make it available for pickup as long as you're able to return it within 48 hrs.
Related:
SHOULD YOU WAIT BEFORE PAINTING PRESSURE TREATED WOOD? - Mark's Painting
Yard Maintenance
Be careful with your grass, especially if buying grass in a new construction home. The best time to start with good grass care is right after purchase, especially in those scenarios. Consider doing it DIY or consider hiring someone out, but be sure to have a plan. Robots are becoming more and more popular with lawn care, but you'll typically still need to do at least some of the work yourself.
Watch out for Virginia Creeper, Poison Ivy, bamboo, & other common problematic or invasive plants in the area. Rather than just using an herbicide, it's best to remove these at the root. In the cases of Poison Ivy & Virginia Creeper, be sure to work with gloves, and then wash those gloves as long as they are safe to wash. I've been stung by potentially wingless wasps while doing this work that I never saw until I saw the stinger in me with no other sign of the insect other than the pain. It's best to blow any leaves in the area away prior to pulling these up to reduce the probability of that happening.
Don't allow siding or roof damage & the potential for insect/other pest problems by trimming bushes & trees away from the house (including no branches above the roof) so that when a storm hits, your home isn't getting hit, & when no storms are around, no pests have easy access to your home. Watch closely for any trees that could pose a hazard to your home, & keep in mind that they don't just come down during hurricanes. My immediate family in-laws had a tree fall on top of their homes in a storm that wasn't a hurricane in SE VA. They were in the house when it happened.
If you need help with tree service in SE VA, I recommend Ryan's Land and Tree Service | Yorktown VA
If a mole/vole issue is present, it's best to get rid of them sooner rather than later so they don't multiply too much. Start by examining what food source they are going after, & if it's something you don't want/need, consider removing it. If you're my current or former client and would like to borrow my 4 mole/vole traps to alleviate a mole issue at your home or rental property, let me know & I can make it available for pickup as long as you're able to return it within 45 days.
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