As a homeowner, there are a lot of things that require your attention or regular maintenance. Most of these items, like mowing the yard, taking out the trash, or cleaning off the sidewalks, may seem obvious. Others can be a little easier to ignore. But sometimes the maintenance tasks that are the easiest to overlook are the most important. Here are a few home maintenance items that shouldn’t be overlooked to prevent more serious problems in the future.
- Plugged dryer vents
When was the last time you thought about the exterior dryer vent? If you’ve never had a problem with yours, the answer is likely never. However, dryer vents can easily become clogged due to excess lint or nesting pests. At the least, this can lead to longer drying times and wasted energy. At the worse, it can cause a home fire. Be sure to clean out your dryer vents regularly by using a long wire brush to remove lint or debris. - Clogged gutters
Gutters are an easy thing to overlook – especially if it hasn’t rained in a while. But even in sunny weather, gutters can fill with leaves and debris that prevent them from draining water away from your house. When gutters are clogged, water can back up into your fascia and behind your siding, causing a whole host of problems and headaches. Pay close attention to your gutters the next time it rains to ensure water is flowing properly through its channels. - Water in the window wells
If water isn’t being routed away from your home properly, it could accumulate in your basement’s window wells. If there’s already a collection of leaves and debris in the window well, the problem can be exasperated even further since debris prevents the water from draining. This can lead to problems with mold, mildew, and – worst of all – a flooded basement!
When it comes to home maintenance, paying attention to the little things makes all the difference.