Congratulations on your new home! As a responsible homeowner, it's crucial to understand the importance of regular home maintenance to keep your property in optimal condition and reduce costly repairs in the future. Even the most well-built homes require regular standard maintenance to preserve functionality and protect the quality of the materials.
As architects and builders, we have been creating homes in the Northern Virginia area for over 20 years. Over this time, we have worked with many clients to create a personalized home maintenance plan for their new home. A custom home may have unique maintenance requirements to maintain the integrity of specific aspects of the home, but almost every home requires that you adhere to these standard maintenance tips.
In this article, we have compiled a list of our top 10 maintenance tips for new homeowners.
1. HVAC System Maintenance:
- Regularly clean or replace air filters to ensure proper airflow.
- Schedule professional HVAC inspections and tune-ups to identify any issues early on.
- Maintain proper ventilation throughout your home to prevent moisture buildup and improve indoor air quality.
- Inspect your plumbing system for leaks and fix dripping faucets regularly.
- Insulate exposed pipes to prevent freezing during colder months.
- Periodically flush your water heater to remove sediment buildup, ensuring optimal performance and prolonging its lifespan.
- Clean shower heads and faucets with a brush to prevent calcium and lime build-up and prevent clogging
- Test your sump pump annually to ensure it is working correctly
- Test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly.
- Dust your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors regularly to prevent dust build-up prematurely triggering the alarm.
- Inspect electrical cords and outlets for any signs of damage and address them promptly.
- Replace light bulbs as needed to maintain proper lighting throughout your home. Consider investing in LED light bulbs to reduce how often you need to replace them.
- According to the Department of Energy, a 60W incandescent bulb will last approximately 1,000 hours and a similarly-bright 12W LED bulb will last around 25,000 hours.
- Regularly clean gutters and downspouts to prevent them from getting clogged. Gutter clogs can lead to basement flooding issues as the water can sometimes seep into the wall of your home and down to the basement.
- Trim trees and bushes away from your home to avoid potential damage from branches.
- Inspect the foundation for cracks and address them promptly.
- Inspect and repair any damaged or missing roof shingles to prevent water infiltration.
- Clean windows once a year to prevent dirt build-up and elongate the life of your windows
- Establish a regular cleaning routine to maintain a clean and healthy living environment.
- Declutter and organize your living spaces to promote a sense of order and reduce potential hazards.
- Properly maintain appliances and fixtures by following the manufacturer's guidelines for cleaning and maintenance.
- Clean and lubricate sliding glass door tracks to prevent obstructions
- Prevent pests from entering your home by sealing cracks and openings in the foundation, windows, and doors.
- Regularly check for signs of pests and take appropriate measures to control them.
- Consult with professionals if needed to address any infestation issues.
- Regularly mow the lawn, water plants, and trees as needed, and fertilize the soil to promote healthy growth.
- Control weeds and pests in the garden to protect your plants.
- Inspect walls, ceilings, and exterior surfaces for any signs of peeling or cracking paint and address these issues promptly to prevent further deterioration.
- Touch up or repaint surfaces as necessary to maintain a fresh and appealing appearance.
- Install and maintain smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers in appropriate locations throughout your home.
- Keep emergency contact information readily available and create an evacuation plan for your family.
10. Seasonal Maintenance:
- “Winterize” your water systems by opening exterior hose bibs to prevent water from freezing inside and cracking a pipe which can lead to potential water leaks in the spring. This applies to garden hoses, irrigation systems, and pools/
- Clean the fireplace and chimney in winter
- Check and service air conditioning units in summer
- Clean and store outdoor furniture during the offseason
- Adhering to these seasonal tasks ensures that your home is well-prepared for changing weather conditions.
Understanding Warranty vs. Maintenance
It's important to understand the differences between builder’s warranty items and standard homeowner maintenance responsibilities. Most builder warranties typically cover specific items for a designated period, such as one year. This may include addressing drywall cracks, peeling paint, and adjustments due to house settling. However, routine maintenance tasks generally fall under the homeowner's responsibility.
It is essential that you find out and understand exactly what your builder’s warranty covers and when they promise to address these concerns so that you can make a plan to properly maintain your new home following the warranty period. Builders will not be returning to your home to fix issues that are the result of and could have been prevented by regular home maintenance.
How Do I Maintain My New Home?
Regular home maintenance is a crucial aspect of homeownership that should not be overlooked. By following these tips we’ve compiled over two decades of designing and building new homes for our clients, you can preserve the value, comfort, and quality of your new home. Remember to consult professionals or refer to manufacturer guidelines for specific maintenance requirements related to your home appliances and systems. With proper care and attention, your home will remain a dream come true for years to come!
WHO ARE AV ARCHITECTS + BUILDERS?
At AV Architects + Builders, we design and build modern homes utilizing the Master Builder approach. Our proven turnkey process is what you need for single-point accountability and minimizing all the stress of building a new home. You’ll be guided from start to finish by our team of Master Builders … from helping you find a perfect lot to handing you the keys. Consider us an all-in-one solution.
What’s more, our beautifully designed homes are constructed using the highest quality sustainable materials — making them easy to maintain. Our stress-free Master Builder process allows empty-nesters, busy professionals, and families with small children the feeling of Vacation Style Living™ all year round.
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