So, you’ve bought a home…now what? It doesn’t come with a manual on how to take care of it. You’ve probably heard your friends complain about unexpected issues and catastrophes that end up costing them an arm and a leg – which they chalk up to “home ownership”. Well, what if you could avoid some of these big issues by staying on top of your home maintenance – would you do it? Of course you would. So, grab your calendar and a pen and write down reminders for yourself.

A/C and Heater Maintenance: One Time Per Year

Mark your calendar to have your A/C and heater checked once a year by the company that installed your HVAC system. If you recently installed a new system, you might be required to have your unit serviced in order keep your warranty valid. Either way, a yearly maintenance call either before the summer or winter – is a good idea.

Flush Hot Water: One Time Per Year

Hot water heaters can sometimes clog, due to minerals in your water. By flushing your water heater every year, you can prevent issues from occuring down the road. Most people don’t know how to do this – but, it’s a fairly simple process. You can review a “how-to” guide here.

Seal Your Tile Grout: Every 6 Months

This might seem like a pain in the neck, but will prevent mold from growing in your bathroom and kitchen.

Change Air Filters: Every other Month

The last thing you want to do is have you’re A/C go down in the middle of the summer – so be diligent and replace your air filter every other month, even if it’s doesn’t look “too bad” to you. Having a dirty filter will affect the air quality of your home and will make your fan run harder, which could eventually shut your system down.

Aerate Your Grass: Once a Year

By aerating your lawn, you can ensure your yard is getting the nutrients it needs.

Clean Dishwasher Drain: Monthly

The drain at the bottom of your dishwasher serves to also catch things that might be too large for the pipe. Eventually this drain can get clogged, if it’s not cleaned.

Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blade: Once a Year

Once a year be sure to detached your lawn mower blade and take it to a lawn mower retailer. They will usually sharpen your blades for around $10-$15.

Did we miss any that you think are essential? If so, please leave a comment below – we would love to hear from you!

And, as always if you’re ready to take the next step and talk to one of our SIRVA Mortgage associates about buying a home, please call us at 800-531-3837.