Even though we are a roofing company, we care about the entire house. We found these Home Improvement Tips to be especially helpful. Not only for updating homes, but ensuring that all the proper maintenance is completed to keep them running efficiently.
Please share any additional tips and tricks that you have in the comments.
Home Maintenance Tips
On the Inside
Roof Vents: If you discover a hidden vent, get curious. Vents usually serve a purpose. A properly vented roof will last longer and prevents leaks and moisture build up. Don’t cover them up without proper investigation.
Insulation: You can get an insulation inspection done to determine if you have enough. Proper insulation can help you save money and feel more comfortable. For more information read: Types of Blown-In Insulation
Phone Chargers: A phone charger that is plugged in, but not charging a phone, is still using power. Save money and energy by unplugging them when not in use.
Install Ceiling Fan: Energy-efficient ceiling fans can move air to help you feel cooler in the summer. They can also push much-needed heat down to the floor in the cold winter months.
Calking and Weather Stripping: Caulking and installing weather stripping around windows, doors and thresholds, is good to do before it gets cold outside. Efforts to improve the insulation in your house will improve your comfort and save you money.
Programmable Thermostat: This will save you money on heating bills and possibly prevent some arguments about the perfect room temperate. Maybe.
Pipes: Keep pipes from losing heat (or worse, freezing and exploding) by wrapping them in a pipe sleeve. They’re strips of fiberglass insulation fit around the pipe and are easy to install. You can tape them to the pipe to keep them in place. Summer is a great time to do this.
Furnace Filter: The filters for your heating and cooling systems should be changed once every month or two, depending on how much you’re running your system.
Repainting: Thinking about repainting? Use semi gloss paint in the kitchen and bath; it resists moisture better.
Garbage Disposals: Keep your garbage disposal running smoothly
Since you throw all kinds of junk into your garbage disposal, it’s only logical it’ll need a little care and attention on a regular basis.
After use, make sure to always run the machine with cold water for a minute with dish soap inside. Cold water will help solidify any grease so it can be chopped up before hitting the trap.
As well as this minor periodic maintenance, you’ll need to make an effort to properly upkeep the unit. An easy way to do this is to toss a lemon or an orange into the disposal once or twice a month. The citric acid from the fruit helps break up any buildups of grease, and, as an added bonus, it smells great.
Boiler Heater: Do you have boiler heat? Inspect your boiler for damage and proper pressure. When materials heat up and cool down as often as boilers, they’re prone to wear. Make sure to check your boiler annually in the following ways:
Make sure there are no holes or cracks in your boiler’s vent connection pipe and chimney. Check for water leakage. Ensure the pressure is within normal parameters (this information comes with the boiler). Another tip is to run your boiler at least once a month, even in summer. This way, you keep it efficient.
Run water through your fixtures: When toilets and sinks aren’t used regularly, grime can build up in the pipes and faucets. If you have a bathroom you don’t use very often, make sure to run water through the systems at least once a quarter to keep the flow coming smoothly and reduce future clogging.
On The Outside
Keep your gutters in top condition.
Remove all debris from your roof: Build up of leaves and sticks will trap moisture causing rot and leaks in your roof.
Dryer Vent: Caulk around the dryer vent on the outside of your house for better insulation. This is often missed when the siding is installed or replaced. You might want to clean out the vent while you are at it!
Locate Your Main Water Shut Off Valve: Do you know where your main water-shut-off valve is? You should find it and test it every year.
Plug Holes: The average home has enough tiny, uninsulated openings to add up to about a 2-foot-square hole. That’s the same as leaving a mid-sized window open. Insulate and plug these holes before winter.
Remove icicles and ice dams: When it snows and your gutters fill with meltwater, they’re going to run over. As the water runs over, it freezes and creates icicles. Your interior heat will melt the snow from further up your roof and supply the ice dam this creates with even more fuel, eventually creating a heavy block of ice all around your guttering.
Check out our blogs on roof raking and roof care for the winter.
About Weather Vane Roofing
We provide roofing, siding, insulation, windows and gutters. Making your house beautiful and efficient is our main goal. We use the latest in technology and products to provide eco-friendly and cost effective solutions for your home and business. With locations in Lansing, Owosso, and Brighton/Howell we are Mid-Michigan’s roofing experts. Let us transform your house into a home.
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