Not everyone has cool carpentry skills that could fix anything in the house. As one of your most significant investments, it goes without saying that you must make time to take care of your shelter. It’s difficult to make this a priority with all the possible demands at work or of life in general, but what could help you is to come up with a scheduled home maintenance plan in consideration of all the projected home repair expenses. There are simple ways to keep your home safer and more appealing. Even though these might not be taught in your home economics class, there’s still time to learn.

No need to worry about trying the basic home maintenance tips we’ve listed below even if you’ve never tried any home repairs before. As a motivation, doing these could help preserve your home’s value and you simply get to live in a much better place. Cool? Let’s start.

Fix any dead outlets.  Get an electrician if you find some of your power sources are not working anymore. It’s important that there is an annual home check-up after all for the upkeep of the house. Though, you can also try fixing the problem yourself as long as you have basic knowledge of circuits.

Do away first from the common thinking that dead outlets are usually caused by faulty wiring. They’re often a result of circuit overload and thus you should immediately check if there are any broken or deteriorated electrical cords which need to be replaced. You must inspect the circuit breaker afterwards if there really is an overload problem. If none, trace the circuit through the main electrical panel until you pinpoint the problem. It’s also recommended that you check if you have a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter receptacle with Test and Reset buttons installed.

Clean your air conditioner. Extend the life of your air conditioner especially because it’s probably one of the most expensive home improvements you’ll need to deal with if you let it be. Make sure that there are no leaks where the refrigerant lines connect and that the vents are clean. Changing the air filters monthly could also keep its smooth operation.

Take time to check your outdoor condensing unit as well just to make sure that there are no leaks. To clean it off, remove the large chunks of debris gently before using the soft-brush attachment from the vacuum on the fins. Spray off remaining debris with a hose. Maintaining your outdoor air conditioner system would obviously prolong its lifespan. Though, you might also want to explore new systems that help in reducing carbon emissions while still being able to cool homes such as OxiCool that contains no refrigerant and only uses pure water.

Maintain your roof. Preventative measures are always better to employ early than having a roof replacement which is going to be much of a hassle. Maintaining the roof can significantly keep the heating and cooling systems of your home efficient. Don’t think twice about getting a roofer to inspect your roof at least twice a year to make sure it is still of good quality which could prevent any possible leaks. You can also check it from time to time to look for cracks or damaged shingles so you can be rest assured that the roof has ample space for ventilation.

Drain your water heater. You should do this at least once a year or book a plumber–this could ensure that it would continue to work properly as any minerals debris stuck would be flushed out. Turn the power off first through the circuit breaker before inspecting the water heater installation with gloves and protective eyewear on. You then need to make sure that the water inside the tank is at least an inch above the heating elements. Otherwise, call a plumber immediately.

While you’re at it, check the exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen as well to clean out unwanted smells. If they’re not efficiently working anymore, it’s most likely because of growing mold in your home. Clean them to maintain good hardware performance, keeping the moisture out and pleasant smells in.

Double check your gutters and downspouts. If you want to prevent any possible water damage, you should definitely check them at least twice a year. Remove all debris and expect that your roofing system will be also maintained. Inspect if there are holes or cracks on your gutters and if the downspouts have become detached from the house. If your house has two storeys, better to call a gutter cleaner. Save yourself from a major expense by doing this minor fix.

As mentioned, your home is an investment that you should consistently care for. It’s a must that you maintain it so you get to fully enjoy the space and safety it offers. Maintenance work need not be done often and only requires simple activities that anyone can easily do. Schedule this every season so you won’t be overwhelmed. Consider this as a continuous investment for your personal sanctuary and get the job done.