When you invest in a custom home, it becomes instinctive to want to do anything possible to ensure its lifespan and livability. Your dream home that you designed to your exact specifications deserves to be taken care of and preserved, which means that routine maintenance is necessary to aid in its longevity.
At Whicker Construction, we are dedicated to creating the home of your dreams. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of ways you can maintain your custom home year-round and enjoy it for years to come.
Do a monthly deep clean
The bulk of home maintenance is keeping it clean! This may seem simple, but there are parts of cleaning that are often overlooked and contribute to a newer home looking old and worn. Touching up scuffed paint and dusting baseboards and vents are two easy ways to keep your home looking brand new. To get the most out of a deep clean, make sure you include all the hard-to-reach places. Vacuuming your refrigerator coils, cleaning out your dryer’s exhaust duct, and throwing a lemon slice down your sink disposal will help your appliances last longer and run efficiently.
Replace filters and test detectors
You should replace your HVAC system’s air filters at a minimum every three months to minimize home hazards. Additionally, cleaning leaves and debris out of your HVAC condenser, or hiring an HVAC specialist to clean it, will keep your home’s internal workings running smoothly. Don’t forget about your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors! It’s important to make sure their batteries are fresh and that they’re running so you can be alerted in case of an emergency.
Test water in less used bathrooms
The last thing you want is a plumbing disaster. Leaks and malfunctions can come out of nowhere if your water systems are not routinely tested, and most of the time issues occur in bathrooms that are used less. If you have a guest bedroom with a bathroom or even a basement bathroom that doesn’t see much human interaction, flush the toilet and run the tap to make sure they’re running up to par. You should also check for small leaks or changes in water pressure to be safe.
Check for leaks, cracks, and broken seals
Seasonally walking your house to check for chipped paint, damaged siding, foundation cracks, and faulty window and door seals will help keep your home’s exterior looking sharp. Towards the end of the fall season, clear your gutters and downspouts of leaf buildup to keep your roofing clean. Other easy tasks are double checking that your drainage system is carrying water away from your property and inspecting your roof for damage and leaks.
Tend to your landscaping
Not only does taking care of your landscaping boost the curb appeal of your home, but it contributes to ensuring the overall safety of your property. Clearing dead plants to boost the health of other plants and cutting down damaged or dying tree branches that sit close to your home will prevent potential home disaster and invasive species takeovers. If you have sprinklers, double check that they are not spraying on your home and that they reach the right sections of your yard.
By following these easy tips, you can keep your home looking as beautiful as it did on day one. If you are interested in building a custom home that holds lasting value and complements your lifestyle, our team of professionals at Whicker Construction will help you through the process every step of the way. With more than two decades of experience building custom homes throughout Central Indiana, including Plainfield, Danville, Avon, Zionsville Indianapolis and more, we can provide the personal attention you deserve and build you the home of your dreams.