The beginning of the year is a good time to do a thorough inspection of your home to make sure your heating, plumbing and alarms are all working properly and to book maintenance for anything that isn’t. Here’s a quick guide to what you should check.
Pipes
Take a look at any exposed pipes underneath sinks and behind toilets as well as in your mechanical room to see if there are any cracks, leaks, or other signs of trouble. It will be much less of an inconvenience to have your pipes repaired or replaced when they begin to show deterioration than to wait until a pipe bursts to fix the problem.
Drains
Drains are another big problem area. Add water to all of your sinks and tubs and watch how fast they drain. If any are going particularly slowly, it is probably time to get your drains professionally cleaned. Do not pour liquid drain cleaner down your drains, it contains corrosive chemicals that will damage your pipes. A plumber will clean your drains using either a snake or a hydro-jet, which will remove any blockages effectively without damaging the pipes.
Faucets
Check all of the faucets in your home for leaks, water pressure, limescale, and any other noticeable problems. Faucets are a common problem area and it’s best to get minor issues fixed before they become a bigger headache.
Hot Water Heater
Take a look at your hot water heater and inspect it thoroughly for leaks and signs of rust. Sometimes a leak on a hot water tank will just look like condensation, so pay attention to any kind of moisture forming on or around your water heater. You should also have your water heater serviced annually by a technician to ensure that it is running as efficiently as possible.
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Having a functional carbon monoxide detector is an important safety feature that every home should have. If you don’t already have a carbon monoxide detector, it is highly recommended that you get one. If you do already have one, make sure that you test it every year to make sure that it is still working properly.
Change Your Furnace Filter
When you’re doing your yearly household checks, don’t forget your furnace filter every three months! Take the time to change your furnace filter to ensure that your furnace keeps running smoothly and improve your indoor air quality.
Check Outdoor Taps
Check your outdoor taps. Are any of your garden hoses still connected? Make sure that all hoses are disconnected from outdoor taps for the winter. Hoses left connected for the winter can freeze and cause major damage. Take the time to inspect the taps for any signs of leaks, while you’re at it.