Skip to main content

​ANNUAL BOURNE HOME MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST


Maintenance Check List

If you’ve ever owned a home in Bourne before, you know that just like your vehicle needs regular maintenance like oil changes to run well—so does your home. It can be easy to ignore or put these things off, but a well-maintained home will save you money from costly repairs in the long run, and make your home easier to sell when the time comes.
Start giving your home some TLC with some of these must-do maintenance tips:
Monthly
  • Change HVAC or furnace filters. If your family is small and pet-free, simply inspect the filter and replace every 2-3 months.
  • Clean range hood filters. Mix a degreaser with hot water, let it soak, then rinse it off.
  • Check water softener. Check the salt level, add some if needed, and read the display to make sure no error codes are displayed. You’ll usually only add salt a few times a year.
Biannually
  • Deep clean. Roll up your sleeves and deep clean appliances, windows, lighting, and every crevice and corner. Keeping a clean Cataumet home and not letting dirt build up will help keep it polished.
  • Test the pressure relief valve on the water heater. This prevents corrosion—protecting leaks and helping it run efficiently.
  • Replace batteries in smoke/carbon dioxide detectors. Make it a habit to change batteries every time you set the clocks for daylight savings time.
  • Vacuum refrigerator coils. The fridge can account for up to 15 percent of your home’s total power—keep it running efficiently.
Annually Organized by Season
Spring – There’s a reason it’s called “Spring Cleaning”
  • Service central air. Do this before Cataumet heats up– you can often get this done at a discounted rate with enough time to spare before it gets sweltering hot.
  • Check gutters and drainage. When April showers start coming down, will the water flow away from your house? Keep gutters clear so the water can flow where it’s supposed to.
  • Test sump pump. You don’t want to wait until you need it to find out it’s not working!
  • Check grout in the bathroom and kitchen. Fix the grout where needed—This will extend the life of tiled surfaces and keep them looking new.
  • Check windows and screens. Clean window wells of fall and winter debris.
Summer – Shift your focus to the outdoors and enjoy the sunshine
  • Clean ducts, sweep the chimney and get heating systems ready. You’ll be turning these on at the first hint of crisp fall weather, so do this now.
  • Check and clean the clothes dryer vent. While running, check the exhaust for the smell of fresh laundry. If the exhaust is marginal, check for blockages. Also, vacuum the lint from dryer hose.
  • Clean garage. The garage is easy to ignore, get out there while the weather is nice, and check garage door sensors are working while you’re in there.
Fall – prepare for winter during this in-between season
  • Winterize A/C systems. Store window units and, if you have central air, cover the outside unit with a tarp. Don’t forget to fasten with bungee cords for secure coverage throughout the season.
  • Flush and store hoses. Drain the water so it doesn’t freeze.
Winter – cozy up and stay warm
  • Break Icicles. As pretty as they look, don’t let them grow—they could fall unexpectedly, hurt someone and cause damage from their weight. When they melt, they can cause water damage to the foundation.
  • Remove showerheads and clean deposits. This will keep your water pressure strong and keep them lasting long.
  • Check the foundation for cracks. Use caulk or silicone to repair any small cracks before the Spring thaw.
While this list is comprehensive, this is not a complete list of all the things your Bourne home needs. Don’t forget to reach out to your local real estate specialists for more information on other crucial home upkeep.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

11 Steps To Downsizing Your Home

Nothing lasts forever -- including a home where you raised a family or lived most of your working life. And it's a fact of life that suddenly, a place that was perfect for you a decade or two ago might start to feel cavernous and empty (or just contain more square footage than you really want to clean regularly). If you're starting to dream about trading in your rambling old house for a smaller cottage or new condo, then it's probably time to seriously consider downsizing from your current home. Before you start shopping and put your home on the market, though, there are a few things you need to think about and discuss with any family members who'll be making the journey with you. Consider your finances It's tempting to look up your home on a website like Zillow or Redfin and revel in how much money it's worth today. So finances might not be top-of-mind when you're thinking about downsizing -- you may believe that you're guaranteed to save money
Post a Comment
Read more

33 ways to make your home energy-efficient

Not too long ago in our country's history, talking about making your house "greener" might get you labeled a hippie tree-hugger. But times change, and as gas, electricity, and water prices creep up, more and more homeowners are seeing the (strong) advantages that come with considering the environment when you make decisions about your household. Are you interested in making your home more energy-efficient -- and saving money in the bargain? You have a lot of options, from cheap to expensive, so read on to discover whether there are some big (or small) energy-saving opportunities that you're missing. Get an energy audit Most utility companies offer an energy audit, oftentimes for free: They'll send an expert out to your house to take a look at all your appliances, your lights, your windows, your doors, and more -- then make recommendations for changes you can make that will save energy (and money) every month. If you want a personalized rundown of everything
Post a Comment
Read more

5 Driveway Designs to Drive Up Your Homes Value

1.  Pavers:  Driveways with pavers are often found in the village area's of Boston, Rhode Island and Coastal communities like Pocasset, Cataumet and Monument Beach.  Very durable and many colors to choose from. This design often reminds me of Paul Revere days with candle light, lanterns and horses. 2.  Brick:    Brick  is bold, beautiful and long lasting.  Brick has multiple uses and can be combined to match your homes exterior.  You do have the ability to change the color to give a custom look to your design. A quick stop at  Pocasset Hardware  will provide you with a color key and guide to all the paints available to make your driveway stand out from your neighbors.   3.  Sea Shells:   A crushed  seashell  driveway adds character to your coastal home.  There is a little bit of a smell at first when laying the over your driveway, however in time you will loose the smell and gain a beautiful sea shore look.  Not the best choice when removing snow with a snow blower or sn
Post a Comment
Read more