New Beginnings: A Homeowner’s To-Do List at the Start of the Year

A proactive approach at the beginning of the year enables you to establish a solid foundation for a safe, healthy, lovely and well-running home that gives you and your family a sense of security and comfort throughout the year.

By conducting routine inspection, you can identify potential issues early, preventing costly repairs down the line. On the other hand, cleaning and decluttering enhance your living space and help ensure you have a healthier home.

If you lack the time to do these things or learn how to do them properly, an annual maintenance contract (AMC) can save you the effort of performing them.

An AMC is a service agreement between you and qualified service providers. It covers routine maintenance tasks, including maintaining and servicing plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems.

With this contract in place, you can have your home inspected periodically and have professionals carry out essential and pre-emptive repair and maintenance tasks, ensuring you have a safe and comfortable home all year round.

Essential Tasks to Tackle at The Start of The Year

Whether you’re conducting the start of the year inspection, cleaning and maintenance tasks or having professionals handle them, below are the first things you should prioritise:

Inspect the Roof

Your roof protects you and your family from water, sunlight, wind and other elements.

Since your roof has an important job and is constantly exposed to the sun, rain, wind and other natural elements, it requires regular inspections, maintenance and repairs.

To inspect your roof, start by looking for the following in your ceiling:

Sagging areas
Holes
Dark or brown spots and trails
Signs of leaking
Water damage or moisture
Mould

Once you’re done with the interior, inspect the roof itself. Look for the following:

Holes
Missing or damaged shingles
Moulds
Algae growth
Water damage
Rotting, blistering, and curling
Loose materials near the pipes, gutters, or vents
Leaves in the gutter

Inspecting the roof means climbing it, which can be risky and requires the right equipment, skills and an assistant. If you don’t have these and feel uncomfortable going up high places, let professionals handle this task.

Check Your Fire Safety Equipment

The first few weeks of the new year are the best time to check your fire alarm, smoke detector and fire extinguisher.

You can do this by following these steps and tips:

Push the test button behind or under the fire alarm or smoke detector to check if the system and its batteries are still working. You might need to press it for a few seconds before it emits a sound.
If your alarm or detector and batteries are still working, it will emit a loud, ear-piercing siren. If there is no sound or it is weak, replace the batteries.
Replace the batteries if you haven’t changed them in the past six months.
While checking your fire alarm or smoke detector, gently remove the dust, dirt and debris blocking its grates since these can prevent it from working properly.
If you have a sprinkler system, look for non-working heads, rusty or corroded pipes, cracks, holes and other defects in its visible parts.
Check the gauge of your fire extinguisher to know if it still has sufficient pressure and is still within the expiration date. If it’s expired, have it refilled.

You can have professionals handle this task to ensure it is done safely and correctly. You can also have this included in your AMC as long as you discuss this with the service provider.

Have Your Hvac System Serviced

Whether you have a centralised heating and cooling system, a window unit or split AC, you need to have them inspected, cleaned and maintained at least annually. The start of the year is the best time to do this.

Your HVAC system won’t function optimally if it is dirty and clogged. Moreover, you’ll pay higher energy bills when it’s not working properly.

An AMC covers periodic system inspection, AC cleaning service and maintenance performed by qualified technicians. They can fix and replace any faulty parts, allowing you to skip the high expenses that come with more complex repairs or even with changing the entire unit.

With a clean, well-maintained cooling and heating system, you can have a more comfortable, healthier home and lower monthly utility bills.

Check Your Plumbing System

In many countries, the new year usually comes with low temperatures, which can affect pipes and lead to plumbing issues like freezing or bursting. Early detection of these problems during a comprehensive check can prevent more extensive damages and costly repairs.

By inspecting your faucets, checking for leaks, and examining your water heaters, you can ensure everything is working properly. Moreover, identifying and addressing minor issues early on can prevent them from escalating into bigger plumbing emergencies later.

When you take the time to inspect your plumbing system at the start of the year, you set the tone for a year of uninterrupted water flow, efficient water heating, and a plumbing system that functions efficiently.

An AMC covers this process. You can also enlist the help of professional plumbers to handle this every year.

Take a Close Look at Your Walls

Inspecting your walls can give you an idea if you have any plumbing problems. If there is mould, mildew, blistering, or efflorescence, which is the deposit of crystallised salts on the surface, you have a water seepage problem.

This problem can be caused by a faulty plumbing system, leaking or burst pipes, blocked gutters, and wall cracks.

When you see these signs, you need to have experts take a closer look at your walls so that they can recommend the best fixes.

Inspecting your walls also lets you know if it’s time to repaint them. A fresh coat of paint will give your space a new look, making it more appealing and inviting for your family and guests.

When you prioritise these tasks at the start of the year, you’ll have fewer problems to worry about and have a comfy, lovely home to enjoy with your loved ones.