Home Maintenance Checklist to Avoid Costly Repairs

Seventy-eight percent of homeowners say they have buyer’s remorse over purchasing their home within the last 12 months, mostly because of unexpected repair costs, according to a survey from Hippo, a home insurance group. Proactive home maintenance, however, can help ward off many repair nightmares.

After all, two-thirds of homeowners who experienced a repair issue admit the problem could’ve been prevented with proactive maintenance, another Hippo survey finds. Further, 67% say unexpected home issues have affected their mental health, and 63% say the problems have affected their relationships.

Courtney Klosterman, a home insights expert at Hippo, offers the following breakdown of home maintenance projects to help lessen stress. 

Outdoors

Roof

A poorly maintained roof can lead to deterioration, damaged shingles and other issues like moss buildup, which can make it easier for water to seep into ceilings. A slow roof leak also can turn into a huge backlog of moisture in a ceiling or attic. This can eventually proliferate into mold that grows on walls and framing, leading to poor air quality in the home and even damage to the home’s structural framing.

What to do:

• Check the roof for any damage that may have happened during the winter months. (Call in a professional to do this.)
• Look for signs of damage, such as missing, worn or damaged shingles, while inspecting the roof from the ground.

Gutters 

Leaves and debris can build up in gutter lines, causing water to spill over the sides and potentially lead to foundation damage, structural defects, mold, mildew and basement flooding. In cooler climates, water residue in clogged gutters can freeze and expand, causing water to seep into the roof or eaves.

What to do:

• Call in a professional to check tough-to-reach areas. Check all potential points where clogging could occur. Using a pair of gloves, clear out any visible debris. 
• At a minimum, clean gutters once a year by removing large debris that may be blocking the flow of water towards the downspouts.
• Flush gutters with a hose starting at the end furthest from the downspouts, making sure downspout drains are positioned away from the foundation.

Siding 

The siding on a house needs to be well-painted and sealed to help avoid leaks or mold from forming and keep pests out.

What to do:

• Walk around the perimeter of the home each season to look for signs of deterioration, such as rotting, peeling paint and damaged siding, sills or soffits.
• Repair damaged areas right away, as these materials help protect a home from weather, water intrusion and pests. Not addressing these issues could lead to rot and damage to structural framing.

Trim trees 

Faulty tree limbs can damage a home, especially during storms. On windy days, tree branches can strip off layers of siding or asphalt from the roof singles that protect a home. A storm also can cause a sick tree’s limbs to fall onto a home. In drier climates, homeowners have an additional wildfire risk that encroaching brush can have on a home.

What to do:

• Do a quick walkthrough to remove branches touching or overhanging near or on a roof. Trim trees that are encroaching or overhanging near gutters or rooflines to help prevent damage. With a hand saw or trimmers, work through the branches to remove anything that doesn’t look completely stable. Also, remove any vegetation touching the sides of a home and dead or dying vegetation within 30 feet of a home.
• Consider hiring a professional to remove overhanging limbs.

Indoors

Don’t overlook a home’s critical systems and appliances.

Plumbing

Water damage is one of the most common and costly disasters a home can experience. The average home insurance claim costs upwards of $12,000, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

What to do:

• A quick walkaround every three months will help catch the earliest signs of plumbing issues.
• Set up smart devices with leak detectors in areas where water is likely to pool, such as under bathroom or kitchen sinks and in the basement.
• To keep drains clog-free, pour a cup of white distilled vinegar down them a couple of times a month. Let the vinegar sit for 30 to 45 minutes, then flush with cold water.
• When deep-cleaning the kitchen drains, don’t forget the garbage disposal. Disconnect the unit’s power, throw on a pair of rubber gloves and wipe down the unit with cleanser until debris is removed.

Water heater 

Over time, sediment builds up in the bottom of a water heater, which can corrode the tank and heating elements and shorten its lifespan. A replacement water heater can be costly—anywhere between $1,000 to $1,500 or more.

What to do:

• Flush a hot water heater annually to prevent sediment buildup. Begin by draining whatever water is left in the tank (don't forget your bucket). Then, stir up the sediment at the bottom of the tank by opening the cold-water supply valve briefly. Keep repeating this process until the water comes out clean from the hose.
• Look under water supply and drain lines for signs of corrosion and repair damage. Pipe corrosion can also hurt the efficiency of hot water heaters and cause premature failure.

Dryer vent 

The leading cause of home fires involving the dryer is dust, fiber or lint buildup in the dryer exhaust vent, according to the National Fire Protection Association. While many homeowners are mindful to clean the lint filter in-between laundry loads, Hippo’s Housepower Report revealed that most homeowners wait more than two years to clean their dryer exhaust vent, if they ever do.

What to do:

• Remove the excess heat, moisture and lint that comes from the drying cycle. Clean vents at least once a year to help reduce the chance of house fires and improve energy efficiency.

Stove and hood vents 

The buildup of cooking oils and grease that occurs on a stove hood over time makes cooking the leading cause of all home fires, according to the United States Fire Administration.

What to do:

• Clean vent screens every three months to help prevent grease fires and prolong the life of the vent fan.
• Remove the filter from the range hood and wash in warm soapy water to remove grease buildup. Clean ignition sources (gas) every three months, and have a technician tune-up your range annually.

Refrigerator 

Refrigerator coils are critical to cooling. Most homeowners don’t vacuum their refrigerator coils routinely, according to Hippo’s Housepower Report. Nearly one in five homeowners say they did not know they had to vacuum their refrigerator coils at all, the survey notes.

What to do:

• Dust and dirt can reduce performance and increase energy bills. Vacuum or clean under and behind your refrigerator twice a year to help maintain peak performance.

Electrical system 

A home’s electrical system needs to be protected from overheating in the event of a power surge. According to Hippo’s Housepower Report, more than two-thirds of homeowners don’t know the location of their fuse box or circuit breaker.

What to do:

• Locate the fuse box. While every home is different, circuit breakers are generally located in low-traffic areas of the home, such as a basement, garage or utility closet.
• If the power is out in a home, check if the breaker is out of line. If so, switch it to the “off” position, and then switch it to the “on” position.
• Keep the electrical box cover shut, and check every three months for signs of rust, moisture and dirt.

Foundation 

Over time, the ground around a home may shift, causing changes to how the home rests on the foundation.

What to do:

• Check for cracks that are larger than one-eighth of an inch in width (the thickness of 2 pennies) or actively getting bigger.
• To help identify movement, monitor a crack over time by placing a piece of masking tape over it and seeing if it shifts. Consult a foundation expert when serious damage is identified.

HVAC

When an HVAC works efficiently, heat and cool air are distributed throughout the home with good circulation. Common system breakdowns are a result of dirty HVAC filters, thermostat settings, a pilot light being out or a faulty thermocouple.

What to do:

• Help improve the air quality inside of a home and use less energy by changing the HVAC filter every 30 to 90 days, depending on your unit.
• Schedule a bi-annual tune-up to help ensure you are not stuck without heat or cool air.