A Beginner’s Guide to Home Maintenance: Tips for New Homeowners

Home improvement is a great way to add value to your property. However, there are some tasks that are better left to the professionals.

Performing some home repairs yourself can be cost effective. But some projects are so risky or complicated that it is best to call a professional. Click here for more info.

A well-maintained house is essential for both health and financial stability. Thankfully, most counties and cities offer home repair programs to help residents.

Do It Yourself (DIY)

As a homeowner, it’s important to know which projects you can take on yourself and when to call in the professionals. It’s also important to consider the time involved in DIY projects. If you are spending time on a project that could be used for something else, such as earning income to pay for the repairs, it may not be worth the effort.

Many people pursue DIY projects as a way to save money. This can be a great thing for frugal homeowners, but it’s important to remember that DIY is not always cost effective.

For example, making your own cleaners can be much cheaper than purchasing store-bought cleaning products. However, making your own cleaners can be more labor intensive than simply buying a bottle of generic product. Likewise, there are some home repair projects that require specialized skills and tools that can’t be easily replicated at home. For these, you should always seek the help of a professional.

Hire a Professional

Most homeowners can benefit from the services of a professional home repair service at some point. The challenge is finding the right one for you and your family. It requires a bit of intentional research. Remember, you’re letting someone into your most personal space and that should be taken seriously.

A good start is to find out whether the company or individual is licensed. Checking licensing is usually simple — the homeowner can look online or ask local building officials. It’s also a good idea to find out if the technician is insured. That’s usually a little more difficult, but many national companies have already vetted their technicians and may provide blanket insurance coverage.

It’s also helpful to know about government programs that may help with a particular type of home repair or renovation. For example, Habitat for Humanity offers home repair for low-income households in some areas. Other government programs offer assistance for certain types of repairs and improvements, such as energy-efficiency upgrades.

Get a Home Warranty

Home warranties reduce your out-of-pocket costs for common repairs for appliances and systems. However, it is important to know your limits and coverage before signing up.

A warranty company typically assigns a local service provider to come and repair or replace the item. They may charge a trade call fee, which operates like an insurance deductible.

If you are comfortable letting a home warranty company choose your service providers and want to limit the amount of money you need to set aside for maintenance, a home warranty is worth it. This is especially true if your appliances and systems are old.

Be sure to carefully consider a company’s track record and reviews, along with their coverage and cost. Some warranties have monthly fees, and others charge a service fee for each claim. The cost can add up if you have several claims over time. The coverage may also not be enough to cover the costs of a major system or appliance breakdown.

Save Money

New homeowners are often surprised by how costly home repairs can be. The good news is that savvy homeowners can prevent these expenses by being proactive about maintenance and saving up regularly.

For example, putting off plumbing issues can lead to leaks that result in costly damage or even structural changes to your home. Additionally, not updating or replacing outdated appliances can significantly increase your energy costs. It is also important to know when DIY projects are safe and when it makes more sense to hire a professional.

Engineering experts for the best writing services online note that while home improvement projects can increase your property value, they do not always add value to a home’s repair cost. The best way to save money on home repairs is to set aside a budget for it each year. Many experts recommend setting aside at least 1% of your home’s purchase price each year for this purpose.

How Often Should You Clean Your Air Ducts? A Comprehensive Guide

Duct cleaning involves accessing the air handler and plenum. Be sure your technician has clear, easy-to-find paths to these areas.

Dust, dander and harmful microorganisms like bacteria and airborne contaminants can trigger or worsen allergies or asthma. Cleaning your ducts can remove these irritants from your home, making it safer for everyone. Discover more at duct cleaning Coquitlam.

What is a duct?

A duct is a system of air-conditioning vents that deliver cooled or heated air to different rooms in your home. Dust, dander, pollen and other airborne contaminants pass through your ductwork constantly. While filters help prevent some of these contaminants from circulating, the remaining particles build up over time.

A professional cleaning, following NADCA’s best practices, involves sweeping and vacuuming the interior surfaces of all return and supply vents and their connecting surfaces. Some ducts are constructed from metal; others are made of insulated fabric, either porous or non-porous (air-permeable) material.

Make sure your duct cleaner can easily access your air handler and evaporator coil, located in the attic or basement, or in a utility closet in the garage. If possible, clear the way for your technician and remove pets or children from the area. Duct cleaning is loud and messy; expect to hear banging and light banging. It’s also important to show your duct cleaner all the rooms in your house and point out vents.

What are the benefits of duct cleaning?

Air duct cleaning removes pet dander, mold spores, mildew and other contaminants. It also helps eliminate odors from smoking, cooking and general home activity.

Having your air ducts cleaned can reduce the symptoms of allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems. It can also help lower energy bills by keeping the forced air system running efficiently.

However, it’s important to note that duct cleaning has not been proven to prevent health issues or significantly improve indoor air quality. If you or members of your family have a serious health problem, talk to your doctor before having your ducts cleaned.

Additionally, if you’re concerned about moisture or mold growth in your ductwork, a reputable service company will inspect and repair any leaks. They’ll also check for duct insulation that may need replacement, which will keep your system more efficient and help lower energy bills. A clean ductwork system will also increase your comfort level. It’s a fact that dusty ducts make it harder for your air conditioner to maintain a comfortable temperature.

How do I know if my ducts need to be cleaned?

Clean air ducts are an important part of maintaining good indoor air quality, but not every home needs a cleaning. A few environmental indicators can help determine if it’s time to hire a professional.

Start by examining your air vents and registers for signs of dust build-up, especially around the supply vents that blow cool air into the house. A thick coating of dust — and a musty smell that follows — may indicate that a duct cleaning is in order.

If anyone in your family has unexplained allergies or asthma, cleaning your ducts might be worth the investment. However, first talk to your physician. They can suggest alternatives to a duct cleaning and ensure that your symptoms are not caused by another health issue.

If you recently built a new house or underwent a major renovation, it is likely that debris from the construction has settled in your ductwork. A duct cleaning, performed according to NADCA best practices, might be in order.

How much does duct cleaning cost?

Air duct cleaning companies typically charge $300 to $500 for residential homes, though this price varies widely and can be higher or lower depending on the size of your home, the type of ductwork and whether it requires special handling. If you opt for the extra cost of duct sealing, that can add another $180 to $630.

Ducts are made from a variety of materials, and each requires a different cleaning process. Rigid ducts are the cheapest to clean, while flex and foam board ducts fall in the middle of the price range.

Labor costs vary, too, as some pros charge based on square footage and others by the number of vents cleaned.