11 Home Maintenance Resolutions for 2021

​Everyone has heard of making New Year's resolutions like save money or lose weight, but did you ever think of setting goals for your home?  Read further, because we have come up with a list of home maintenance resolutions for 2021.  

Check Your Furnace Filter More Frequently

With your furnace working hard to keep you warm this winter, you may want to start checking your furnace filters more frequently. 

The furnace filter helps to reduce allergens, dust, and dirt from entering your furnace.  And, it helps keep your indoor air.  If you have a bigger home or a pet it is wise to check your furnace filters every month. 

​If you are uncertain of what you are looking for when you check the furnace filter, it really is quite simple.  Hole the filter up to light, and if you cannot see through the filter you need a new one.  

Check Fire Alarms and Check for Radon

The idea here is to keep your home safe and sound.  Check your house for radon, which is a colorless and odorless gas that can cause lung cancer.  According to the EPA, one in fifteen homes have elevated levels of radon.  You can get a testing kit at a hardware store for about $20, which is affordable.  

Also make sure that every bedroom floor has a working carbon monoxide detector and a working fire alarm.  If a furnace vent gets blocked or a chimney flue leaks, carbon monoxide could enter your home, which is deadly. 

You can get a carbon monoxide detector for as little as $40 at the hardware store.  Also, check the batteries in your fire detector every month to make sure they still work.  Finally, when considering fire safety, make sure to clean your lint traps in the clothes dryer.

​Then make sure to clean the vents and behind the machines.  It may seem harmless, but lint is highly flammable.  Take the extra 30 seconds required to remove lint from the lint trap after every use. 

Make a Commitment to Complete One Small Home Project Every Month

Even though it is not always exciting, you really should stay on top of chores that need to be done around the house.  Skipping little tasks can lead to dangerous and expensive consequences down the road, so don’t do it. 

It is wise to first make a to-do list of household chores that should be done monthly.  This list serves as a reminder of the tasks that need to be done so you do not forget how important they are.  Below is our list of tasks to help you stay on track.

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1. Clean the gutters.
2. Remove debris and leaves from the roof.
3. Clean and replace water filters.
4. Replace air conditioning and furnace filters.
5. Caulk and paint your house exterior. 
6. Power wash your deck, stain the deck.
7. Have your chimney cleaned.
8. Repair any water leaks. 
9. Have your appliances serviced.
10. Weatherize the exterior plumbing of the home.
11. Have your dryer’s exhaust duct cleaned