You always remember to change your HVAC filters and clean your gutters, but there are many other household maintenance tasks that are all too easy to forget. If you’re stuck at home with some extra time on your hands, why not take advantage of the opportunity to catch up on commonly neglected home maintenance checks? Here are five things you should take a look at whenever you have a few hours to spare.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors can save your family’s lives in a fire, so remember to test them once a month by pressing the tester button and listening for the alarm. If you can’t remember the last time you replaced the batteries in your smoke detector, now is a good time to do that too. Included in the manual, there will be instructions to check the battery level on your smoke detector.

Water Heater Valve

A busted water valve can cause more than just cold showers. If your water heater’s pressure relief valve fails, it can explode and destroy your home. All you have to do to test this important valve is raise and lower the test lever. Water should pour out of the drainpipe if the valve is functioning properly. If no water comes out, it’s time to replace the valve.

Rarely Used Drains

Do you have a guest bathroom or laundry sink that doesn’t get used often? It’s a good idea to run some warm water through them every so often to make sure they don’t get clogged from dried soap and mineral residue. If you find a blocked drain, call plumbing services to remove the clog.

Refrigerator Coils

The condenser coils below or behind your refrigerator keep it running, but they also get clogged with dust and dirt over time. Dirty coils reduce your fridge’s efficiency, causing food to spoil faster and your energy bill to climb higher. Unplug your refrigerator every few months and take the time to clean the coils with a vacuum cleaner attachment.

Garage Door

Motorized garage doors have an automatic reverse feature to prevent pets and small children from getting crushed under the door. However, this feature can sometimes fail with tragic results. Give it a test by sliding a block of wood underneath the door as it closes. The door should instantly go back up.

Although overlooked maintenance tasks are a great way to pass the time, you don’t have to wait for a pause in your busy schedule to tackle them. Consider adding these important home checks to your calendar so you never neglect them again.

Guest Post By:

Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.