Although the vast majority of us adore our beloved homes, if we don’t strive to keep them in good condition, we can dread even walking through the front door. Yet, we must admit that taking care of the house whilst also trying to juggle work and family commitments is easier said than done. However, with the right services and resources by your side, you have the power to give your property a completely new lease on life. As such, this article will explore several useful tips and tricks to help you implement some maintenance and care in your home.
1. HVAC Systems
If you live in a region that is well-recognized for its extreme weather conditions, you’ll likely have a good understanding of just how important an HVAC system can be. Whether they are used for keeping you warm and cozy during the winter months or offer you a refreshingly cool breeze during the sweltering heat of the summer, these systems can be considered a lifeline to a lot of homeowners. As such, you must apply a decent amount of maintenance and care to these assets so that they can continue working for many years to come. A reputable AC repair service is probably your best resource for achieving this goal as these companies will help pair you alongside a talented HVAC technician. Usually, these contractors will assess the inner workings of this system and keep a close eye out for any impending signs of failure and decay. You’re also encouraged to book your HVAC system for a regular service so that you can keep up with any small fixes and repairs so that they don’t develop into much larger issues down the line. According to Angi, these repairs commonly range from $130-$2,000, so it’s worth factoring in these high costs when building an overall budget for your home renovation process.
Another way to apply maintenance and care to your HVAC system is to hire an air duct cleaning service. If you use your AC unit on a daily basis, it’s likely to become clogged with excess dust, dirt, and other types of debris. Although this is fairly common, if left to spiral out of control, it can cause the air in your room to become overly contaminated and polluted. This is especially concerning for those who suffer from breathing issues or respiratory conditions such as asthma, allergies, or COPD. During this cleaning process, a professional will use a collection of high-end equipment to deep clean every part of your AC unit, leaving it in a much more pleasant and hygienic state. Therefore, you can rest assured that you’re breathing clean air that won’t irritate your conditions even further. Architectural Digest informs us that this service can cost anywhere between $450-$1,000, but the national average usually sits at $750. Therefore, this is a relatively affordable service for those who want to protect their breathing from harsh pollutants.
2. Driveway
Although a lot of homeowners barely give their driveways a second thought, they are also in need of some maintenance and care. The driveway is usually the first thing guests see as they approach the exterior of your property, so it’s best to keep it in good condition if you want to upkeep your curb appeal status. Over time, this asset can suffer a tremendous amount of wear and tear, leaving it vulnerable to harsh cracks and splits. Thus, if you’re eager to give your humble driveway an added spot of TLC, consider looking into a driveway sealing service. This process involves adding a protective film over the top of your driveway in order to make it less vulnerable to harsh weather conditions and decay. Thus, you’re free to use your driveway as often as you like without having to worry about causing any more issues. In addition, a smoother driveway can also protect your car from deterioration, meaning that you can extend the longevity of your vehicle. Best Pick Reports states that it commonly costs $0.50-$1.50 per square foot to have your driveway sealed, making this a very cost-effective way to improve the overall look and feel of your exterior.
3. Trees
An endless stretch of looming trees can truly transform the quality of your backyard, but there’s no denying that these structures can also cause us a lot of stress. Whether you’re forced to constantly pick up fallen leaves or have to care for a series of damaged trees, all of these things can make our outdoor spaces appear worse for wear. If you’re eager to keep your trees in a prosperous state, you may benefit from reaching out to a local tree service for some more professional advice and guidance. These services can also carry out a number of tree spraying practices, which usually means that the contractor will apply a selection of chemicals onto the surface of your trees to stop them from being attacked by bacteria and parasites. Thus, this fairly simple procedure can help keep your trees standing tall for many years to come. If you only have a few small trees in your backyard, you could probably head down to your local hardware store and complete this job for yourself. However, this service is ideal for those with very large exteriors who are struggling to manage all of their trees at once. Home Guide notes that professionals typically charge $75-$250 per tree for this type of work, so depending on your budget, this can be a useful way to add a touch of maintenance and care to your backyard.
4. Roof
The roof could be considered one of the most imperative parts of any home. This is because they help to shelter us from large quantities of rain and snow, and they also help to keep our properties upright. But, despite their durable and impregnable nature, these structures can face wear and tear just like any other aspect of our homes. So, if you notice an increase in moisture build-up, dampness, or leaks, it’s a sign that you need to hire some talented roofing contractors right away. Usually, these workers will begin by conducting an assessment of the overall condition and performance of your roof, watching out for pressure points and any other glaring faults. If your roof has only suffered a minor amount of damage, the roofer will likely offer a few simple remedies to help resolve the issues. But, if your roof is damaged beyond standard repair, they may suggest that you invest in an entirely new roof. Though this process can be very expensive, with Bank Rate explaining that the average American usually pays $9,117 for a new roof, the long-term benefits can be very lucrative. Since a new roof is much better at trapping essential heat sources, you’re less likely to have to crank up the heating during the winter months. Thus, this has the potential to save you a ton of money on your next utility bill, allowing you to use this extra cash to provide maintenance and care for other areas of your home.
5. Plumbing Systems
Our plumbing networks are responsible for powering multiple parts of our everyday lives, allowing us to indulge in a luxurious bubble bath after a long day at the office or enjoy a glass of fresh drinking water whenever we please. Yet, it’s important that we don’t take this system for granted and continue to show it a tremendous amount of maintenance and care. If you’re eager to keep this up and running all year round, it’s good practice to hire a plumbing service at least every two years. This process ensures that your water works are in working order and can even pair you with a registered plumber if something goes wrong unexpectedly. Therefore, this is a great resource for homeowners who want to make sure that they can rely on their plumbing network when they need it most. Mr. Rooter highlights that the average plumber usually charges $45-$200 per hour, but the average rate is a bit more affordable at around $120 per hour. Thus, for a relatively small fee, homeowners now have the prime opportunity to give their properties a keen source of maintenance and care without fretting about going over the confines of their usual budget.
6. Garage Interior and Garage Door
Even though garages are teeming with interior design potential, many homeowners struggle to give them the type of maintenance and care they deserve. As such, a lot of us tend to see our garages as just a place to store our cars or perhaps as a glorified storage unit. Not only does this cause our garages to slip into the background of our overall home renovation plans, but it also makes them more likely to fall into a steady state of disarray. Thus, if you’re looking to give this asset a new lease on life, consider hiring a professional to help improve the quality of your garage doors. During this process, a professional will begin by evaluating the condition of your garage doors, helping to identify points of damage, and figuring out a number of different ways to help bring this space back to life. In turn, this contractor may strive to replace the door’s springs, hinges, and locks to help make it more attractive and functional. Some homeowners may not see any benefit in improving their dusty old garage. However, by getting this space in order, you have the potential to make it more useful, such as transforming it into a chic home office or an endearing entertainment suite. Action Garage Door Repair Specialists explains that this process commonly costs $85-$600, making this a pretty cost-effective first step in finally gaining the recreation room you’ve always dreamed of.
7. Lawn Care and Landscaping
If there’s any area of your home that deserves the most maintenance and care, it’s the backyard. Though you may think it’s enough to mow the lawn every couple of weeks or water the flower beds when you have a spare moment, this area often needs a lot more looking after. However, with everything else going on in your life, you may not have enough time and energy at the end of the day to keep your exterior in decent condition. As such, you may benefit from hiring a lawn care service to help give you a helping hand. These companies usually cover a lot of bases, offering a range of practical services such as weed control, professional yard cleanup, and pruning of various shrubs and bushes. As a result, homeowners are now free to kick back and relax as they allow the professionals to complete all the hard work. Plus, this is a fantastic resource for those who want to make the most out of their backyards and use it to create an abundance of cherished memories with those they love most. Additionally, Home Serve highlights that this service only costs $50-$220 per session, so it’s an affordable way to keep on top of your usual home maintenance routine.
For those looking to give their lawn a better sense of shape, consider adding a rock retaining wall to the exterior. This asset is designed to keep the soil in its designated place, meaning that it will not spill over or create a messy pathway. In turn, this is an imperative asset for those looking to make their garden seem more enchanting without having to constantly battle the wild forces of nature. Home Guide informs us that these walls can usually be built for around $10-$85 per square foot, which is pretty reasonable if you want to elevate your entire backyard on a budget.
There is a lot of time, energy, and money that goes into running a home, and it can become pretty stressful at times. As these jobs continue to mount up, we can begin to feel a little overwhelmed and potentially out of our depths. Thus, with the right resources and materials at our disposal, we can construct the home we’ve always dreamed of. Therefore, if you’re looking for new ways to provide maintenance and care for your home, consider using the advice offered throughout this article.