Owning a home is a big responsibility. It’s a major asset that requires all manner of upkeep and ongoing investment. One of the best ways to protect your home’s value is to learn to stay on top of its maintenance needs. To help you do that, here’s an end-of-year checklist for your home’s major systems.
Checking Your Home’s Electrical System
Your home’s electrical system is one of its most critical pieces of infrastructure. It enables the majority of the conveniences of modern life. To ensure your electrical system remains safe and functional, do the following at the end of each year.
Perform an Electrical Panel Inspection
Your first task is to visually inspect your home’s electrical panel. Open its door and look for any signs of scorch marks or discoloration. Feel the panel’s surface to see if it’s excessively warm to the touch. Contact an electrician to arrange a professional inspection if you notice anything unusual.
Check Your Outlets and Switches
Next, check your home’s outlets and switches for proper functionality. You can use a voltage tester or a small nightlight to check your outlets. You should also press the test button on any GFCI outlets in your home.
If any outlet isn’t working, make a note of its location. Then, check your light switches to see that they operate as expected. Your switches should operate silently and with no flickering. Additionally, your outlets and switches shouldn’t feel wobbly or loose. If you find any problems, add them to your electrician’s to-do list.
Check Extension Cords and Surge Protectors
The next item on your electrical checklist is to examine any extension cords or surge protectors in your home. Ensure that your extension cords are in good physical condition and not operating beyond their capacity. You can do this by checking the gauge of each extension cord’s wire and comparing that to the following list:
- 16 gauge – 10 to 13 amps
- 14 gauge – 13 to 15 amps
- 12 gauge – 15 amps
- 10 gauge – 20 amps
You should also examine any surge protectors you use to see if they’re still functional. Surge protectors have limited lifespans and wear out over time. Each one should have an LED indicator letting you know its protection status. If you find any that indicate a problem, replace them. If you see power strips with no indicator, they likely don’t have surge protection capabilities. You can upgrade them or ensure you don’t keep sensitive devices plugged into them.
Checking Your Home’s HVAC
You depend on your home’s HVAC for year-round comfort. You also need it to remain reliable and energy efficient. Here are some maintenance items for your end-of-year checklist.
Check Your Air Filter
If your home has a central ducted HVAC system, it requires periodic air filter cleanings or replacements. Most systems feature disposable air filters that last approximately three months. You should check your HVAC air filter at the end of the year and again every three months after that. If it appears dirty or obstructed, replace it. If you have a mini-split, its air filters are washable. You should wash each indoor unit’s filter and reinstall it.
Test Your Thermostat
Testing your home’s thermostat at least once yearly is also a good idea. Use a thermometer to ensure your thermostat detects your home’s temperature correctly. If it doesn’t, follow your thermostat’s calibration instructions to correct the problem. Otherwise, contact an HVAC company for help. If your thermostat has batteries, you should take the opportunity to replace those, too.
Clean Around Your Indoor and Outdoor HVAC Units
Finally, you should take some time to clean the areas surrounding your indoor and outdoor HVAC units. Most HVAC indoor units require at least one foot of space on all sides. That allows for proper airflow around the system and minimizes fire risk. It would be even better if you could clear more space than that.
Your HVAC outdoor unit requires at least two feet of space on all sides. Otherwise, it won’t efficiently remove heat from your home when you turn on your AC. If you have a heat pump, your outdoor unit will remain active year-round. That means cleaning up around it is even more critical.
Checking Your Home’s Plumbing
Your home’s plumbing plays a crucial role in your home’s habitability. It can also do tremendous damage if a failure escapes your notice. Here are some plumbing maintenance tasks to add to your checklist.
Inspect Under Each Sink
The first thing to do is look under every sink in your home. Look for any signs of leaks, like wet walls or warped cabinetry. Examine your pipes for signs of rust or corrosion. If you spot any unusual wear in those areas, have a plumber pay a visit. Preemptively replacing a drain or supply line is a small price to pay to avoid a catastrophic leak.
Inspect and Flush Your Water Heater
Next, you should pay some attention to your water heater. If you have a storage tank water heater, there are a few maintenance items to perform. First, check its temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve. You can find it on the top or side of your water heater. If your TPR valve doesn’t route to a nearby drain, place a bucket beneath it before you perform your tests. Then, wear heat-resistant gloves and open the valve a few times. Your water heater should discharge some steam and hot water when you do. Contact a plumber if the valve won’t open or nothing comes out.
You should also drain and flush your water heater to prevent sediment buildup inside its tank. To do it, start by turning off your water heater and its incoming water supply. Then, attach a hose to its drain valve, located near the bottom of the tank. Run the hose to a nearby drain and open the valve. Once water stops flowing from the hose, open the water heater’s water supply valve. That should flush any remaining sediment from the tank. After a few minutes, close the drain valve and turn your water heater back on.
If you have a tankless water heater, you should schedule a professional descaling at the end of each year. That will extend your water heater’s lifespan and help it maintain an adequate flow rate.
Check Your Sewer Line for Proper Flow
The final maintenance item you should perform each year is to check your home’s sewer line flow. Unfortunately, only a professional camera inspection can determine your sewer line’s condition. However, there are some ways you can detect sewer line problems yourself. One thing you can do is to turn on your bathroom sinks and listen for gurgling sounds from nearby drains.
If you hear any, you may have a clogged sewer line. You can also check your sink drains for slow water flow. If multiple sinks drain slowly, you likely have a sewer clog. It’s a good idea to have a plumber clear your sewer line as soon as you spot a problem. The longer you let it go, the greater the odds you’ll end up with sewage backing up into your home.
Your Trusted Home Services Partner
Plumbing & Cooling Nerds is your one-stop shop for your home’s plumbing and HVAC needs in Cape Coral. We also offer indoor air quality and ductwork services. Our highly trained and qualified technicians can help you maintain your home’s critical systems. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and are a Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave and BBB-accredited. So, if you need a trustworthy home service partner in Cape Coral, Florida, reach out to us today!
