We Bet You Didn’t Know You Needed to Do these Home Maintenance Tasks

We’re sure that you’re on top of the top regular maintenance jobs around your house. You probably do a great job of changing air filters, testing smoke detectors, and cleaning your gutters. But there are some other household tasks you’ve probably neglected to address. Have you cleaned out your refrigerator drip pan lately? What IS a refrigerator drip pan?

We’ve put together our list of 5 top household maintenance tasks that will prolong the life of your appliances and possibly save you a little bit of money.

• Flush Your Water Heater-

Bits of sediment can build up in your water heater. Sediment can cause your water heater to malfunction. You should regularly do this chore to prolong the life of this expensive home necessity. You’ll want to turn off the power source to your heater (whether it’s gas or electric). Run a hot tap for a few minutes, so that the temperature is lower. Turn off the cold water that runs to the heater. Then simply drain the heater until the water no longer contains sediment. Use extreme caution when doing a job like this, the water in your hot water heater can still be very hot.

• Lubricate Garage Door Springs-

What would we do without our beloved garage doors? Well, if you don’t lubricate your garage door springs, you might find out! Time and the elements can age those springs rather quickly. To avoid costly repairs, use a garage door lubricant once a year.

• Check for Water Leaks-

We all know that a leak can cause costly damage to our homes. In addition, you could be left with toxic mold from an unchecked leak. Check the entirety of your home regularly for small leaks. How do you check? You’ll need to take a break from using water for a few hours. Before your break, check your water meter. Check it again after your break and see if it has changed. If you notice a difference, you could have a leak. You can then check hoses and pipes around the house for the potential culprit.

• Wash Your Dryer Lint Screen-

Your dryer vent takes on a lot. It catches the debris from your clothing and residue from dryer sheets and fabric softeners. Of course, you already know to empty the lint from the screen before each drying session. But did you know you should also wash the screen occasionally? The gunk from drying aids can build up and cause undue stress on your dryer. Clear the removable vent of any debris, then wash it with hot soapy water. Let it dry completely and return to the dryer.

• Clean the Refrigerator Drip Pan-

One word- MOLD. In order to prevent mold growth, clean your refrigerator drip pan regularly. To locate the pan, remove the kick plate from the front of your refrigerator. Then follow the defrost line to the pan. That’s it! Carefully remove the pan (it could hold some standing water) and empty it. Wash it with soap or your favorite all-purpose cleaner to keep the yucky stuff at bay.

If you keep on top of these household tasks, you’ll find that your appliances will last longer, you’ll save a few dollars on energy and repair bills, and you’ll be so proud knowing that you’ve done something proactive for your home.