How can you keep up with it all, though? First, download HomeLight\u2019s home maintenance schedule<\/a> to your Google calendar. Then consult this list of 13 common mistakes homeowners make when it comes to taking basic care of their homes.<\/p>\n The typical house-cleaning routine focuses on high-traffic areas of the house: wipe down the kitchen countertops, disinfect bathroom fixtures, mop your floors, vacuum your carpets. Every once in awhile, though, you need to rotate in some of these tricky spots of the house that often get skipped for being out-of-sight, out-of-mind:<\/p>\n Stains and water marks on your ceiling typically indicate that there\u2019s a pipe leak somewhere in the house, an issue with your roof, or old caulking in high-moisture areas like your bathrooms that\u2019s allowing water to seep through where it shouldn\u2019t be. If you notice any discoloration of your drywall, don\u2019t ignore the problem or allow the stain to keep growing unchecked. Call in a plumber<\/a> to investigate the root cause right away because it\u2019s not going to disappear on its own.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve tracked down the source<\/a> of the stain and fixed it with the help of a professional, you can treat the stain<\/a>, starting with a round of bleach to eliminate any mold or mildew. Next, apply a coat of primer (preferably a stain blocking<\/a> variety), followed by a shade of paint that matches the rest of the wall or ceiling. If you\u2019re worried about botching the job, you can also hire a contractor<\/a> with experience in drywall repair.<\/p>\n When your gutters fill up, they fail to redirect water away from your home\u2019s foundation, which over time may result in structural damage<\/a> to your home. Clogged gutters can also allow ice dams to form on the eaves of your roof<\/a>, which causes water to build up under your shingles \u2014 a recipe for roof leaks and water intrusion.<\/p>\n A new roof can cost $10,000<\/a> or more, while the national average cost to repair a home\u2019s foundation is around $4,000<\/a> (and can get much pricier). But cleaning out your gutters takes only a ladder and an afternoon. Prevent gutter issues by cleaning them out every spring and fall<\/a>. The DIY pros at Lowe\u2019s, one of the country\u2019s largest hardware stores, have an easy to follow gutter cleaning guide for novices<\/a>. Pro tip: Use a telescoping gutter cleaning wand<\/a> for those tough-to-reach spots. Finally, make sure your downspouts drain away properly<\/a> from your foundation.<\/p>\n You can rent a pressure washer for just $41 a day<\/a> to clean the grime off the exterior of your home. However, you run the risk that the high pressure will damage your siding<\/a>. High pressure water sprays can dent aluminum siding, crumble stucco, and even shred bricks.<\/p>\n If you are going to pressure wash, take the proper safety measures<\/a>. Consumer Reports recommends a 40\u00b0 angle or a low-pressure nozzle<\/a> for easily-damaged surfaces like wood or stucco. Experts also advise keeping the nozzle at least six inches away from the surface.<\/p>\n When the exterior paint of your home is in great shape, it not only adds curb appeal<\/a> but actually protects the house material underneath from wood rot and other structural issues. Peeling or chipped paint may look minor but is a serious risk and shouldn\u2019t be ignored. It\u2019s like the first layer of skin guarding your home from the elements.<\/p>\n Exterior paint lasts around 5 to 10 years<\/a> but if it\u2019s starting to look faded or warped in several areas, hiring professional house painters<\/a> to repaint the entire exterior can add over $4,000 in resale value to your home<\/a>, HomeLight\u2019s research shows. If you can get away with paint touch-ups, that alone may boost your home\u2019s value by 2%-5%<\/a> and help you avoid raising red flags with a home appraiser. Doing a small touch-up yourself can cost less than $100<\/a> in some cases, but if it\u2019s a challenging surface, hire a handyman to take care<\/a> of it (and perhaps a few other small odd jobs) in an afternoon.<\/p>\n \u201cWe always suggest that if you have a crawl space, that you check it regularly,\u201d says Patrick Goswitz, of the Goswitz Team,<\/a> who\u2019s sold 81% more single-family homes than the average agent in his Knoxville market.<\/p>\n \u201cCrawl spaces and attics have always been the surprise. You definitely don’t want water in the crawl space.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Do a thorough sweep<\/a> of your crawlspace or attic at least twice a year, especially after heavy rains. Look for signs of water damage<\/a> including moisture, stains, smells, or mold on the walls, ceilings or floor.<\/p>\n If your idea of appliance maintenance is unplugging something then plugging it back in when it\u2019s acting up, you\u2019ll need to step up your maintenance game. Incorporate these tips into your maintenance schedule to keep everything running as it should:<\/p>\n Refrigerator maintenance (twice a year):<\/b><\/p>\n Oven maintenance (annually)<\/b><\/p>\n Dishwasher (quarterly)<\/b><\/p>\n Hanging an item wrong won\u2019t only damage the piece if it comes crashing down, but it can also rip out portions of the wall, leading to some hefty repair costs. Ensuring something stays in drywall safety is a matter of factoring in weight and the right fasteners. If something is heavy enough, like a TV or antique mirror, it may require multiple wall attachments or a specialty hanging frame. This Old House has a guide to the right fasteners for each object<\/a>, starting with hangings as light as 10 pounds.<\/p>\n Using these products in the wrong places could permanently damage fixtures and surfaces in your home:<\/p>\n Selling a house with unpermitted work<\/a>\u00a0can be tricky, but even some small repair and maintenance projects require permits from the city. Simple things like new paint, floors, or minor electrical repairs don\u2019t need a permit, but projects like adding or replacing a window, installing a fence, or adding new electrical outlets to your home may require paperwork<\/a>. A good rule of thumb when it comes to permitting is if it requires a licensed professional, you should double-check if a permit is required.<\/p>\n Going DIY on a project might save you a few bucks, but you should never take on a project that\u2019s out of your comfort zone or requires special training or licensing. When in doubt, calling in a home repair contractor<\/a> for a job will ensure the project is done well and safely. As an inexperienced homeowner, you generally shouldn\u2019t plan on going any of the below on your own:<\/p>\n Replacing your air filters regularly can lower your HVAC\u2019s energy consumption by 5%-15%<\/a>. That means your system doesn\u2019t have to work as hard to keep the house warm or cold, extending its life, and you\u2019ll pay lower electric bills each month.<\/p>\n You should plan to clean or replace your filter every one to two months<\/a> to keep the HVAC running efficiently. It\u2019s an easy task, that\u2019s even easier to forget. Set a calendar reminder on your home, or use a smart thermostat that\u2019ll remind you every few months.<\/p>\n In Goswitz\u2019s experience, homeowners tend to ignore the condition of their windows: \u201cCheck the windows, that\u2019s something that always comes up on the home inspection,\u201d he advises.<\/p>\n Old, leaky windows aren\u2019t only energy inefficient<\/a>, but they\u2019re also likely to be flagged in a home inspection for repair. Some lenders have very strict standards for window condition, and if you neglect your windows long enough, you might end up having to replace them entirely post-inspection. If your property has a nice spacious yard, you\u2019ll benefit from having easy access to a little slice of nature right outside your door. True, lawns can be a lot of work to maintain, but they’re also a boon to your home value if you take care of yours well. Data from HomeLight shows that basic lawn care adds an average $1,200 to your resale value<\/a>. Mow the grass, pull up any weeds, and fertilize the yard seasonally. If you\u2019re dealing with bare patches, grubs, brown spots, consult our guide to taking care of a struggling lawn<\/a>.<\/p>\n When you bought a house, you made the biggest investment of a lifetime \u2014 but your work didn\u2019t stop at the closing table. Use calendars, reminders, and a Saturday afternoon to knock out these simple repairs, and avoid the common mistakes that only lead to more problems. You can rest easy knowing it\u2019ll save you money and many headaches in the future.<\/p>\n Header Image Source: (volkovslava \/ Shutterstock)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Take care of general home repair and maintenance today, and your efforts now will save you time, money, and headaches in the long run. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":15542,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[320,332],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15540","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-add-value","category-maintenance"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/general-home-repair-and-maintenance-fan-666x381.png\")
<\/a>1. You forget to clean these easy-to-miss spots.<\/h2>\n
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\nThe tops of your ceiling fan blades will grow thick with dust over time, especially if you don\u2019t run your fans very frequently. To clean them without creating a huge mess, slip an old pillowcase<\/a> over one of the blades, wipe it down, and capture the dust bunnies inside the pillowcase. Repeat for each blade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nYour baseboards collect dirt, grime, and kitchen grease splatter<\/a>. But you can easily dust and then deep clean them with a rag, some dish soap, and a bucket of warm water<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nUse a microfiber telescoping duster<\/a> to wipe off the dirt and dust that accumulates in these high-up, hard-to-reach surfaces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nSpray it down with a disinfectant<\/a>, then thoroughly wipe down every nook and cranny with a paper towel or rag.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nYour air vents are filled with dust particles, allergens, and pollen that reduce your home\u2019s air quality. Clean your grilles and ducts with this guide from HowStuffWorks<\/a> \u2014 all you need is a screwdriver, a powerful vacuum, a cleaning brush, and a broom to reach any ceiling vents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n2. You neglect stains on the walls or ceiling.<\/h2>\n
3. You go into the next season with clogged gutters.<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/general-home-repair-and-maintenance-power-washer-666x381.png\")
<\/a>4. You\u2019re too aggressive with the powerwasher.<\/h2>\n
5. You fail to address peeling paint right away.<\/h2>\n
6. You don\u2019t explore your attic and crawlspace.<\/h2>\n
7. You think your appliances will just keep running smoothly.<\/h2>\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/general-home-repair-and-maintenance-room-666x381.png\")
<\/a>8. You aren\u2019t careful with how or where you put up your wall hangings.<\/h2>\n
9. Your cleaning supplies are damaging your home\u2019s materials.<\/h2>\n
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10. You didn\u2019t get a permit for that remodeling project.<\/h2>\n
11. You\u2019re not worried about safety.<\/h2>\n
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12. You rarely change your AC\/furnace air filters.<\/h2>\n
![\"Windows](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/general-home-repair-and-maintenance-windows-666x381.png\")
<\/a>13. You neglect the windows.<\/h2>\n
\nInstead of letting it go that long, regularly check on the state of your windows<\/a>. If you struggle to open them, notice rot on the ledge, or get the chills every time you\u2019re near one, it might be time for a repair. If they\u2019re not too far gone, a repair can salvage the window<\/a> and save you the cost of replacement.<\/p>\nBonus tip: Don\u2019t forget about your lawn!<\/h3>\n
Avoid these general home repair and maintenance mistakes to preserve your home\u2019s value\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n