14 Things All Smart Homeowners Should Do Once a Month
Inspect attic for leaks during rain storm
'Go into your attic to spot any leaks during a rain storm,'
says John Bodrozic, co-founder of HomeZada. 'Roof leaks can go unrepaired for a long time
creating damage to insulation and can be a source of mold growth, which is
harmful to your health.'
says John Bodrozic, co-founder of HomeZada. 'Roof leaks can go unrepaired for a long time
creating damage to insulation and can be a source of mold growth, which is
harmful to your health.'
Check HVAC filters
Bodrozic says you should replace your air filters at least
four times a year, but it's best to check them once a month. This keeps air in
the house healthy and your system running efficiently because they are not
clogged with debris or dust.
four times a year, but it's best to check them once a month. This keeps air in
the house healthy and your system running efficiently because they are not
clogged with debris or dust.
Inspect automatic garage door safety shutoff
Test that the safety features of your automatic-opening
garage door are still in good shape, says Bodrozic. That includes the safety
beams, which should stop the door from closing if it detects anything the
door's path.
garage door are still in good shape, says Bodrozic. That includes the safety
beams, which should stop the door from closing if it detects anything the
door's path.
Lubricate garage doors
'Your doors are probably a series of panels that are
connected with hinges and have either metal or plastic rollers on each side,'
Bodrozic says. 'Use an appropriate lubricant, depending on metal or plastic
rollers, to keep your garage door operating smoothly and prolong its useful
life.'
connected with hinges and have either metal or plastic rollers on each side,'
Bodrozic says. 'Use an appropriate lubricant, depending on metal or plastic
rollers, to keep your garage door operating smoothly and prolong its useful
life.'
Trim shrubs around your air-conditioning units
Shrubs often grow around your A/C unit, which blocks free
air flow, says Bodrozic. 'This causes the unit to work harder and can cause
damage, so it is important to trim shrubs and remove leaves from the
surrounding area.'
air flow, says Bodrozic. 'This causes the unit to work harder and can cause
damage, so it is important to trim shrubs and remove leaves from the
surrounding area.'
Clear snow from all outside vents, meters, and oil fill pipe
Blocked outside vents can be a crucial safety issue as
carbon monoxide can build up if they are blocked by snow. Check your dryer,
furnace, and water heater vents monthly, and especially after a snowstorm.
Here's a helpful document that explains what these vents look like
and what to do. Also, make sure your gas and electric meters are accessible,
and your oil or propane company has a way to deliver fuel in the snow, ideally
a cleared path.
carbon monoxide can build up if they are blocked by snow. Check your dryer,
furnace, and water heater vents monthly, and especially after a snowstorm.
Here's a helpful document that explains what these vents look like
and what to do. Also, make sure your gas and electric meters are accessible,
and your oil or propane company has a way to deliver fuel in the snow, ideally
a cleared path.
Clean your refrigerator grille
'The top or bottom of your refrigerator has a grille that
you can detach to get access to the compressor and cooling coils. This builds
up dust over time and blocks air flow, which can burn out your refrigerator's
cooling system' says Bodrozic.
you can detach to get access to the compressor and cooling coils. This builds
up dust over time and blocks air flow, which can burn out your refrigerator's
cooling system' says Bodrozic.
Organize your refrigerator
'Whether you live in an apartment by yourself or you have a
family of five, somehow food always piles up in the fridge,' says professional
organizer Christina Giaquinto, owner of Christina Giaquinto
Organizing LLC. At the beginning of every month, take out all the
containers and perishable items and decide what is good to eat, and what needs
to be thrown out,' she suggests. 'If you have a little extra motivation, I
suggest wiping the shelves down and doing a thorough clean after you finish
de-cluttering.' Here are foods you shouldn't even be storing in the fridge.
family of five, somehow food always piles up in the fridge,' says professional
organizer Christina Giaquinto, owner of Christina Giaquinto
Organizing LLC. At the beginning of every month, take out all the
containers and perishable items and decide what is good to eat, and what needs
to be thrown out,' she suggests. 'If you have a little extra motivation, I
suggest wiping the shelves down and doing a thorough clean after you finish
de-cluttering.' Here are foods you shouldn't even be storing in the fridge.
Empty your cell phone camera
What's the point of having a camera phone if you let your
precious memories simply sit there? 'During the last week of the month, empty your
phone pictures (and your regular digital camera) onto your laptop or computer.
Organize them into folders, so you're not overwhelmed with endless photos.'
says Giaquinto. Here are other genius uses for your phone's camera.
precious memories simply sit there? 'During the last week of the month, empty your
phone pictures (and your regular digital camera) onto your laptop or computer.
Organize them into folders, so you're not overwhelmed with endless photos.'
says Giaquinto. Here are other genius uses for your phone's camera.
Evaluate your finances
'Take a bird's eye view of your finances to see where you
spent your money, how well you budgeted, and how well you saved. It's very easy to spend without
purpose, which leads to overspending and wondering where everything went,'
Giaquinto adds. This takes discipline, but doing so will help you manage your
money better the next month, which will obviously do wonders for your stress
level.
spent your money, how well you budgeted, and how well you saved. It's very easy to spend without
purpose, which leads to overspending and wondering where everything went,'
Giaquinto adds. This takes discipline, but doing so will help you manage your
money better the next month, which will obviously do wonders for your stress
level.
Inspect sinks and tub drains
'If you notice that your sinks or tubs aren't draining as
quickly, there may be a buildup causing a blockage,' says Kyle Gesuelli, home
improvement expert at handy.com.
'The first thing to do is try to remove anything that is obstructing the pipe
manually using a pipe cleaner to pull debris through the plughole. Second, pour
a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by some hot water, which should
clear things out.' Here's more info on how to clear a clogged sink drain.
quickly, there may be a buildup causing a blockage,' says Kyle Gesuelli, home
improvement expert at handy.com.
'The first thing to do is try to remove anything that is obstructing the pipe
manually using a pipe cleaner to pull debris through the plughole. Second, pour
a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by some hot water, which should
clear things out.' Here's more info on how to clear a clogged sink drain.
Clean the garbage disposal
'The best way to clean out your garbage disposal is with
baking soda and white vinegar, ' says Gesuelli. 'Take half a cup of baking soda
and a cup of white wine vinegar, and put both down the sink. After a few
minutes, pour some boiling hot water down, too. Next, fill the drain with some
ice cubes, and add a cup of salt, which will help to remove debris. Finally,
add lemon halves to the disposal and keep both the water running and the
garbage disposal on.' These are other smart uses for lemons around your house.
baking soda and white vinegar, ' says Gesuelli. 'Take half a cup of baking soda
and a cup of white wine vinegar, and put both down the sink. After a few
minutes, pour some boiling hot water down, too. Next, fill the drain with some
ice cubes, and add a cup of salt, which will help to remove debris. Finally,
add lemon halves to the disposal and keep both the water running and the
garbage disposal on.' These are other smart uses for lemons around your house.
Clean filters in your range hood
'The purpose of the range hood filter is to collect grease,
so over time it will become less effective as the grease builds up,' Gesuelli
says. 'To clean them, simply remove them and place them in a sink full of hot
water, dishwashing liquid, and baking soda. Leave to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
If needed, scrub the remaining grease off with a brush, and then rinse clean.
Dry the filters with a paper towel before replacing them.'
so over time it will become less effective as the grease builds up,' Gesuelli
says. 'To clean them, simply remove them and place them in a sink full of hot
water, dishwashing liquid, and baking soda. Leave to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
If needed, scrub the remaining grease off with a brush, and then rinse clean.
Dry the filters with a paper towel before replacing them.'
Keep a monthly home maintenance calendar
'Staying on top of all the preventative maintenance tasks
throughout each month of the year is important to reduce energy costs, avoid
early replacements costs, and keep the home healthy and safe for the family.
Here is a quick overview of a
helpful app that creates these tasks and many others automatically for
homeowners' says Bodrozic. Don't forget about these things all homeowners should do once a year.
throughout each month of the year is important to reduce energy costs, avoid
early replacements costs, and keep the home healthy and safe for the family.
Here is a quick overview of a
helpful app that creates these tasks and many others automatically for
homeowners' says Bodrozic. Don't forget about these things all homeowners should do once a year.
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