The number one question homeowners ask an appraiser is "How can I increase the value of my home?" After almost 20 years of appraising and studying what improvements have the greatest contributory value when a home is sold I have concluded the definitive answer is....... Proper Home Maintenance! National averages suggest a remodeled kitchen can add 80-85% of the cost to value when you sell, and a remodeled master bath can add 60-65% of the cost, a properly maintained home will recoup 100+% of the cost when you sell. This is generally true even if you wait until something breaks before you fix it, but if you really want to get bang for your buck, tackle those maintenance jobs that (let’s face it) some of us forget or put off until it’s too late.
So get out your tool kit, because we’re about to take you through the essentials of home maintenance.
Okay, first think of the necessities—water, heat, cooling and the roof over your head. These are year-round needs for all households, and the things that make them possible require love and attention!
Budget every year for the cost of an expert to service your HVAC unit and water storage heater and to check your roof. Let’s take a closer look at each of these services and how much they cost.
The HVAC is that boxy, noisy thing that sits outside your home, doing its job day in and day out. It gives you cool air in the summer and heat in the winter. The major parts inside an HVAC unit typically last between 10 and 25 years, so you need to have it serviced annually to make sure things are running smoothly.
How much does it cost to have it tuned up every year? That’ll run you about $49 to $199. But if you need to replace your HVAC unit, it will cost you $4,000 to $8,000 and up to buy a new one and have it installed. So it’s well worth paying for the annual checkup, especially if you spot a problem before it’s too late.
Just like the HVAC, you should have a professional look at your hot water heater every year. A tank lasts 10 to 15 years on average, and a new one can cost from $800 to $2,500 depending on the type you need.The average cost of installing a new tank is about $1,200.
During the annual service, the professional will flush and drain the tank (to remove sediment built up inside) and check the pressure relief valve. The cost of a service should be in the range of $100 to $200.
Have an expert inspect your roof every year, especially if it’s on the older side. And if your home is framed by large trees, keep your gutters free of gunk and blockage with a cleaning once a year. If you’re fine with heights and have a sturdy ladder, you could do this yourself. Or, for around $100, you could opt to have a pro take on the task.
Now, here’s what you can do yourself to keep your home running like a well-oiled machine inside and out! Do these jobs to get the most out of your appliances and fixtures. It’ll help your biggest asset—your home—hold onto its value!
Use store-bought sachets or throw a cup of white vinegar into an empty machine during a hot wash cycle to banish limescale and soap scum. Leave front-loading machine doors open after a wash to prevent mold from forming around the rubber seal.
Run some ice cubes through the disposal to sharpen the blades. Do you have a persistent odor problem? Vinegar and baking soda make a sizzling combo for breaking down food and grease buildup and refreshening the whole thing.
Hair. Soap. Limescale. Ugh! Rid your sinks, showers and bathtub drains of these things by using the vinegar and baking soda trick, or grab a store-bought solution if you have a slow-flowing or pungent drain.
If you love to cook (and even if you don’t), the extractor hood filter soaks up all the grease and aromas, so give it a clean every month to keep it running well.
The amount you use your HVAC really affects how often you need to replace your air filters. Some folks will replace their filters every couple of months, and some do it monthly. But, at minimum, you should do it quarterly. Experts agree if you use thinner filters and change them more often, they’re easier on your HVAC (Remember what it costs to replace that item!) compared to thicker ones that use more energy.
Dirty aerators on the end of your faucets could mean limescale and dirt are blocking the water stream, and that can affect water pressure. The same goes for shower heads!
This filter in your machine picks up larger bits of debris and lint from your clothes. Unscrew the filter and clean it every few months to keep your machine running well.
Alarms come with a test button to make this a quick and easy job. You should also replace the batteries every year, even if the low battery beep hasn’t kicked in yet. Or splurge and buy 10 year detectors that have sealed batteries, just don't forget to still test them monthly.
Garage doors have moving parts that need dusting and proper lubrication every few months. Visit your hardware store to grab some heavy-duty white lithium grease to do the job.
Usually, in your bathroom and kitchen, you’ll see outlets with buttons that say test and reset on them. These are ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets, and they monitor the electricity flowing through them to prevent shocks. Press test and then reset every few months to make sure the trip function is working correctly.
If you have a water softener unit (it removes minerals that cause hard water), check the salt levels inside every few months.
Ants? Termites? Spiders? Wasps? It’s worth keeping your eyes peeled for signs of pests inside and outside your home every few months. You can take care of some problems with over-the-counter products, while some might require professional attention.
We already covered the big-ticket items you should check every year. But what about other annual outdoor maintenance jobs?
If you’ve got a wooden deck stained with a thinner, transparent varnish, restain it every year or so. And remember those fences, too!
If your home has wooden siding, inspect it annually for any signs of damage or peeling paint. Also, check for cracks around the foundation of your home. It’s better to find them now before they turn into bigger issues.
Close your crawlspace vents at the start of winter to protect pipes underneath your home from cold and dry conditions. Then open them in the spring to stop moisture buildup in your crawlspace.
If you live in a cold region, cover your outdoor faucets with an insulating cover in the winter to avoid frozen and bursting pipes.
Monitor trees and shrubs that might be a bit too close to your house or are in need of a trim. Get in touch with a tree doctor to check on the health of your trees if you need to.
The vent for your clothes dryer should be free of dirt and lint. While you’re running a load of laundry through the dryer, go outside to make sure the vent is doing its job. It should be releasing lots of fresh-smelling air!
Your garage door should have stop and auto reverse motion detection to sense if an object is in its path. Get a 2x4 piece of wood and place it underneath the open door, then close the door using the button on the wall. The door should stop closing once it detects the wood and go back up.
Let’s step inside your home for a minute to go through those annual indoor maintenance jobs.
If you have an attic, get up there at least once a year to clean, check for pests, and rule out leaks after heavy rain.
Get your carpets cleaned professionally every year or so to keep them looking great and to remove allergens and odors.
Retouch caulking around your bathtub and shower if there are places that need it.
If your shower floor is tiled, clean the grout every year. There are lots of grout cleaners out there. Apply a sealant to protect the shower floor from all the water.
Clear away any dust and cobwebs from around extractor fans.
Do you know those coils on the back of your fridge? You should gently vacuum them once a year to stop the fridge from working overtime.
Clear away dead bugs from between your bug screen and window pane. Check window screens for holes and replace them if needed. Check the condition of weather stripping around your windows and doors, too. Any big gaps could mean loss of heat in winter and cool air in summer.
Whether your fireplace works with real wood or is gas-powered, get your chimney swept and have your flue inspected every year.
If you have in-window units, clean them every year. Also, think about covering them in the winter if you’re not storing them away from the elements.
Basements can be a bit “out of sight, out of mind,” but try not to neglect them! Give basements a thorough cleaning every year and check for mold and cracks in the walls. Clean window wells outside any basement windows, too. You might have a sump pump (it removes accumulated water from the area), so inspect it every year. I know the list seems long, but most items take just a few minutes to maintain. I sincerely hope this list helps save you from a costly repair down the road.