Every home requires maintenance, but some types of maintenance are particularly significant. Ignoring them could allow little issues to turn into big ones. Some of these tasks require basic upkeep, while others may call for help from a professional. Either way, check and see if you’ve performed the following in the past few months. If you haven’t, schedule a time. With that in mind, here are four household tasks you should never neglect.
Keep the Drains Clear
Your home has a dozen or so drains, inside and out. Sinks, toilets, the backyard catch basin, and even your basement floor have them. They’re there for one reason—to carry away used water. When drains are doing their job, you probably don’t notice. It’s when they begin to slow down, back up, or even erupt that you realize how important they are. The best way to maintain a drain is to avoid pouring anything other than water down them. Even in the kitchen, avoid pouring fatty liquids, grease, and other substances that can congeal. Rinse the drains out on occasion with warm soapy water. Every 18 to 22 months, hire a plumber to snake or use hydro line jetting to clear your sewer line.
Clean the Toilet’s Base
Toilets should ideally receive a weekly cleaning. But quickly spraying the bowl with cleaner, followed by a quick swish with the toilet brush, isn’t enough. You should clean and disinfect the entire toilet, including the base. It’s easy to forget about that part, but it’s a place where dust, dirt, germs, urine, fecal matter, and mold can congregate. Don’t overlook it, and be sure to get into the cracks with a cleaner and toothbrush.
Clean Large Appliances
Washers, dryers, dishwashers, and other large appliances tend to toil away out of sight and, therefore, out of mind. Don’t overlook the fact that the cleaners sometimes need a good cleaning themselves. Clear out the lint trap on your dryer. Otherwise, you’ll risk diminished performance and, even worse, a potential fire hazard. Clean off your washer’s outside casing and occasionally empty it to run a clean cycle. Washers can create musty-smelling clothes, so when you run the clean cycle, add a cup of bleach to kill off any foul-smelling mold inside the machine. Check any traps as well for detritus and backed-up wastewater.
Perform HVAC Maintenance
Here’s just one more of our four household tasks you should never neglect. If you’ve noticed that people seem to be getting sick more frequently in your home or that your and others’ allergies seem to be worsening, check your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Change the filters regularly. It’ll keep the air cleaner and prevent fires as well. Dust and vacuum all the vent covers to prevent them from becoming blocked as well. Every three to five years, consult an HVAC company to see if they offer a thorough duct-cleaning service.
As the place where you cook meals and sit down as a family to enjoy them, the kitchen can be one of the messiest areas of the home. Here are a few helpful Tips for Deep Cleaning Your Kitchen.
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