Routine maintenance: two words that likely evoke eye rolls, exasperated sighs and dread for most Keller homeowners who read, hear or even think about them. However, they’re also a homeowner’s best line of defense when it comes to protecting their most important investment — their home.
So, with that in mind, here are three inexpensive projects from The Grove Team that could save you a lot of money in the long run.
1. Inspect plumbing connections, appliance hoses, and pipes for leaks.
Refrigerators with icemakers or water dispensers, dishwashers and washing machines all have hoses that connect to your water supply. If these hoses wear out, blister or crack, or the connections loosen, they can cause leaks that can cause a lot of damage to your home and appliances. Replace these hoses with steel-braided hoses because they are less likely to fail and can be purchased at your local hardware store for around $20. Consult your owner’s manual for hose specifications and recommended replacement intervals.
Periodically inspect the pipes under your kitchen and bathroom sinks for leaks. Also, if there’s a bathroom in your home that’s seldom used, turn the faucets on and off, and flush the toilet once a week to ensure water continues flowing through the pipes properly.
If you suspect you may have a leak, but the source isn’t easily accessible, time is of the essence. The average cost to hire a plumber is about $300, which is less than the potential amount of damage an untreated leak might cause.
2. Clean dryer ducts and vents.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to 15,050 home fires involving clothes dryers and washing machines in 2014, which is the most recent data available.
It’s important to empty your dryer’s lint filter after each use because lint is highly flammable. Combined with the high heat given off during a tumble cycle, this is a recipe for disaster. Lint also accumulates in dryer ducts and vents. While they take a bit more effort and know-how to clean, it’s just as important to do this at least once a year.
Unfortunately, one Mercury policyholder learned this the hard way.
The average cost of a professional dryer vent cleaning is less than $200.
3. Visually inspect your home’s exterior.
Make a point of walking the perimeter of your home to look for cracks, chips or holes in the façade and lose shingles on the roof. Imperfections like these can be access points for unwanted water to enter the home, which can cause rot, mold or structural damage.
If your exterior walls are coated with built-up dirt and debris, wash them first to make it easier to detect potential problem areas. You can do this by attaching a cleaning tool to your garden hose or renting a pressure washer. Costs will vary depending on which option you choose, but start as low as $20.
Windows are another potential danger zone for leaks, so be sure to check the condition of your weather-stripping, as well as look for chips and cracks.
Consult a professional to determine the next steps if you find damages to your home’s exterior.
Taking care of your property now with these simple maintenance tips could save you time and money in the long run.
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