Learn all about caring for your new home with OPUS Homes’ Construction Manager, Alex Reid.
With more than 15 years of experience building homes, Alex knows how to keep your home looking great and operating at peak efficiency.
Once you move in, your home requires a little bit of regular maintenance to keep things running reliably and efficiently. Taking a bit of time to pay close attention to heating, cooling and ventilation on the inside, and drainage on the outside can help prevent costly repairs over time.
There are a few areas of the home that need to be maintained for safety, to prevent undue wear and tear, and to keep things running efficiently for better home comfort.
Your Home’s Exterior
Checking the exterior of your home, you need to ensure your catch basins, eavestroughs and downspouts are clear of debris, so that water can run freely away from your home, as the snow melts. At this time, you can also inspect the exterior of your home for any holes or places small animals can nest.
Once the fear of sub zero temperatures have passed, you can open the valve to your exterior hose bib connection. This is also the time to begin early landscaping and yard maintenance. De-thatching, aerating and fertilizing your lawn will give it the boost it needs to look great all summer long.
Finally, wash away any de-icing agents left standing on your porches or precast steps, as it can degrade them over time.
Your Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
Inside, your home, it’s critical to check and/or replace the batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You can make it a habit to do this at the same time as the clocks change to daylight savings time.
Your Furnace and HRV
This is also the time to replace your furnace filter and to clean or replace your HRV (heat recovery ventilator) filters. You can purchase filters at any hardware store, but be sure to pay close attention to the size and specification that’s required. Every 2-3 years you should have a certified heating and cooling contractor inspect and maintain your furnace and a/c to ensure it’s running efficiently.
Your Gas Fireplace
Finally, be sure to inspect and clear away any dust or cobwebs that may have accumulated under your gas fireplace. To do this, open the front grate and vacuum carefully inside. Reference your owner’s manual for further details on cleaning the components.
This is a great start to keeping your home beautiful and running at peak efficiency through the spring.
