There are so many things that you can do to your home and things you will need to do over time. This is important to make sure that your home is working for you and is a safe environment for your family at all times. Trying to take advantage of good home maintenance comes when you adopt one of the practices below. There are several options for you to consider so that you get the most done in your home and improve the overall value. If you know you have some of these services that need to be done, but you aren’t sure who to call, keep reading for more information.
Hire a Roofing Professional
One of the most common home maintenance services is either repairing an existing roof or having one replaced. When you reach out to a local roofing company, you’ll want to know what options they offer and have them do an inspection on the roof. You want to make sure that you are getting the right service done to protect against further damage to your home.
If you want a local roofer, you need to first do some Google reviews, and check out social media to see what other clients are saying about them and their work ethic. It’s important to make sure they offer diversified options, especially if you’re looking to switch to a metal roof from a traditional shingle roof. When you opt for a metal roof on your property, you can choose it to be in various colors to match your theme or attempt to deflect some of the sunlight coming onto your home.
Hire an Electrician
Some home maintenance services will require the services of an electrician. If you’re doing any upgrades to your home or renovations, make sure you contact a local electrician for electrical services. You don’t want to attempt to change out any of these outlets or work on electricity if you aren’t certified. This can be a really dangerous task for you to take on by yourself and without the supervision of someone who is used to this process.
Many of these homeowners take on electrical service when they need to upgrade their wiring in the home. Lots of older homes are likely operating on outdated wiring systems. If these aren’t updated regularly, they can be the basis for a fire. With so much technology in desperate need of upgraded wiring, it’s important to not attempt to patch the system, but have it done properly so that it isn’t overloaded. You also want to make sure you have surge protectors in place to protect the homes and appliances. If you overload the system in your home, it could definitely shut it down and then maybe cause a fire on the property.
Hire a Plumber
Your water system and the drain cleaning is a big part of home maintenance. Periodically, you may find that your system isn’t draining properly or you need to do some home maintenance on the plumbing. In these cases, you’ll call a plumber to come out to the home and check through the different systems until they find the issue. You’ll find them using a variety of tools and inspecting the pipes with cameras and drain snakes to see where the clog is and what it looks like.
Once they find the issue, the blockage will need to be removed, and maybe even have the pipes replaced. Depending on how bad the blockage is and what it took to fix the problem could determine if you need new pipes. They will check all the sinks in the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, and anywhere else there is water coming from. You want them to come out regularly and check the home so that you aren’t left with long-term water damage in your home. These services can impact your water pressure and your ability to have water altogether.
Install a Fence
Nothing improves the property line more than installing a fence. This is one home maintenance project that is completely worth the money and the time that it takes to put on the property. You can choose from so many fences including a wood fence, vinyl fence, iron rod fence, and even a chain-linked fence. Depending on your HOA and any potential rules and regulations they may have, you will want to see if you’re limited to fence types first. It is also a good idea to check with the local city or county code office to ensure you’re meeting zoning requirements and compliant with the regulations in the area.
The best way to manage a fence project is to have fence builders come out and install the fence of your choice for you. They have the pole diggers, and all the other essential tools together and can get these fences up in a few hours, even if you have a large property. They also have access to wholesaler materials, so they can get the panels and the rest of the fencing at competitive pricing. Keep in mind that unless you’re putting a fence up in the Spring or Fall months, you’ll want someone else to do it so you aren’t suffering from too much heat or too much cold.
There are so many benefits to having a fence installed on your property. First and foremost, it offers privacy that can be ultimately priceless. The idea of having your own space for your family is great. You can keep your small children and pets contained on the property because this is on the property. It also adds to the property value, which is a benefit for those who are considering having one added.
Hire an HVAC Professional
If you think that your next home maintenance project should be an HVAC upgrade, then you should get an HVAC contractor on the phone right away. Over time, your HVAC system will start to break down due to the exposure of the elements, and the system having to work harder. Things like heating coils and thermostats can start to go out, but you aren’t sure how to do these projects on your own. With the help of a contractor, they can help get this done properly so that it doesn’t impact your overall electrical system and keep your home in working order.
One of the best things you can do for your system outside is to make sure that it’s protected. Many homeowners are now adding some lattice fencing around the unit to keep out debris and wildlife from the area that can get in there and cause issues. You should also move to an energy-efficient system if you think that it’s time to get a new system. While you can fix older systems, if you’re having to contact an HVAC contractor every few months and your energy bill is still high, the system isn’t doing your home any good.
Remodel Your Basement
One of the most forgotten spaces in your home is your basement, but it shouldn’t be left off the home maintenance list. This space is meant to be a good storage space, home for a furnace if you live in an area where there is one, and it is instrumental in the foundation of your home. If you have a basement, you need to have a contractor come and inspect for any water or mold damage since this would be the first area to experience this damage. If you need water and mold restoration, you need to have it cleared up first before moving forward.
The next thing you need to do once the basement is rid of mold and water is to add in a French drain that will catch the excess water and cycle it back out to the yard and away from the home. If you have a garden and want to be truly sustainable, you can reuse this water for watering plants and funneling it into fountains you may have on the property. This way, you know that it isn’t just going right back into the ground to get back in the basement.
Hire a Paving Professional
Another home maintenance project that shouldn’t be a DIY and should use a professional is paving parts of your property. There are several things you can pave, like your driveway, your walkway to the front door, and even the patio space you have outside. If you have an inground pool, you’ll want the perimeter to be paved as a part of the code regulations perhaps, and to help protect the pool over time. When you pave, you could have concrete poured, recycled asphalt, or traditional asphalt, depending on the contractor and your preferences.
Before you hire a paving contractor, make sure you do your research, as there are probably a few contractors in the area. You should get a few different quotes to compare the prices but keep in mind that isn’t the only factor to consider. What you need to do also is to make sure that you research past projects, because you may get exactly what you pay for when you go for the cheapest option. You want quality work that will last so you aren’t having to get another paving job in the next few years. Choose the paving material for your home based on the traffic that’s going to be coming in and out of the house, as well as the look that you’re trying to achieve on the property.
Build an Extension
It’s much cheaper to take advantage of building an extension for your next home maintenance project instead of building an entirely new house. For many homeowners, they just need a little extra space, or something new in their lifestyle has prompted them to move forward with expanding one or more parts of the home. Consider reaching out to local home builders who specialize in home extensions, as this is a bit different from building a home from scratch.
When you take on home builders who want to expand a certain area, the new space has to properly connect to the house and look as though it is a natural part of it from the outside. If the spaces don’t connect properly, they could cause water to leak in the area and cause more damage over time. It’s also important for wind purposes to ensure that the extension is connected. Too much air space can cause a bad storm like a hurricane to get under the wall of the extension and tear the house up. The last part is to make sure that the roof matches the rest of the house. A local roofer will need to come out after the extension is done to make sure the new roof will fit and align with the rest of the home.
New extensions on the home will include different functions, such as an office, bedrooms, or even an additional living space. Many homeowners in recent years have gone to adding in a multi-purpose space, where they can do movie nights, set up a game room, and expand on other rooms. Other home extensions include building out laundry rooms and mud rooms so that the family has a lot of space for their shoes, clothes, and jackets when they get in the door. Know that those homeowners who have started a business on their property are also in the market for home extensions, where they can make a workspace right down the hall from their bedroom or office.
Choose The Home Maintenance That’s Right For You
Depending on what your home needs currently, you may not need to take advantage of all those maintenance practices right now, and that’s a good thing. You could spend a lot of money at once taking on too many. However, you’re likely to need most of these at some point in the future, so it’s a good idea to know who to contact, and how to find the right contractor for your project.