From your plumbing and HVAC system to home safety devices, there are several items in your home that can break down or malfunction. Doing some maintenance tasks each month can help reduce the risk of needing repairs or having to replace equipment. Plan on performing the following maintenance tasks in your home monthly:
Your HVAC filters end up coated in dust and debris, which can affect your HVAC system's efficiency and your air quality. Check your HVAC filters every month to see if it's time to replace them. If your filters are dirty or clogged, replacing them with new ones helps improve your air quality and causes less wear and tear on your HVAC system. Keep in mind you might only need to replace your filters every few months, but at least check them each month.
Leaks can lead to serious and costly water damage. Even smaller leaks can cause problems, such as running up your water bill. Although some leaks are easy to see, others can happen in hidden areas, such as inside walls. Check for signs of leaks in your home every month, such as water spots on ceilings and walls and puddles of water near plumbing fixtures and appliances. Have leaks fixed immediately to prevent water damage from occurring.
Your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are there to keep you safe, so make sure they're in good working condition. Test these home safety devices each month to ensure they work properly. If they're not working right, you might need to dust them off or replace the batteries.
Cracks or openings around your tub or shower can lead to leaks inside your walls or floors. Search for gaps around bathroom fixtures every month, and seal them up with caulking to prevent leaks. Touch up the grout between bathroom floor tiles or shower tiles each month as needed, which helps reduce the risk of mildew and mold growth.
Walk around the exterior of your home once a month to search for issues that need to be addressed, such as cracks or gaps in the foundation. Also check for areas of standing water that could indicate a drainage problem on your property.
Dating back to the 1970s when his father put him in charge of the family real estate business, Jeffrey Germagian has built a longstanding portfolio of real estate transactions and developments. Along the way, he has grown the family’s original company, then known as Baystate Realty, to the elite status it represents today as ERA Key Realty Services.
Although we’ve expanded our real estate offerings and our branding has evolved to represent all of the real estate services that we provide, ERA Key Realty, The Baystate Group still holds true to the honest business practices and principles that Jeffrey’s father set out with decades ago.
Jeffrey manages the Baystate Group which specializes in traditional home resales, land development, and 55 communities.
He lives in Hopedale, MA, and serves the local towns in the area including most suburbs of Boston as well as southwest of Boston. He is a Certified Residential Specialist and is fully licensed as a real estate agent to practice throughout the entire state of Massachusetts.