Getting the best from your life at home is often a matter of abiding by a few fundamental principles and adopting a few healthy habits. In many cases, doing so will help you to drive down the cost of living and avoid unnecessary stress.
So, what does an effective routine for household maintenance really look like? Let’s try to break it down.
The Monthly Walk-Through
Your house is much like a workplace in that it’s a source of risk. Getting the best from your house means taking steps to manage that risk, and the best way to do this is through regular assessments.
Develop a checklist of things that you want to inspect every few months or so. You can find inspiration from online templates, but be sure to tweak the list to fit your needs. Your list might include things like windows, doors, and gutters, any of which might indicate the early signs of damp and mould.
You might have a list for every month of the year. So, in autumn, the state of your gutters might be a concern, while in spring, after the weather heats up, the cracks in your patio might be worth looking at.
By deciding what you’re going to check well in advance, you’ll make getting on top of the situation that much easier. Get the checklist set up, and set a reminder on your phone for the last weekend of every month. Then get to work!
Seasonal Swaps and Checks
There are a number of things that are worth doing at particular times of year. During summer, for example, you might perform tasks that are going to reduce your risk during winter. You might bleed radiators and get the boiler serviced in order to improve the efficiency of your heating system.
During winter, you’ll want to stash your garden tools somewhere dry and out of the way and make sure that they’re in good condition. Doing so will extend their lifespan and give you more satisfaction when you come to use them the following year.
Digital Maintenance: Cut the Clutter
If you aren’t mindful of the digital services you’re using, you might find that you end up spending large amounts of money each month in order to enjoy benefits that you aren’t really using. The most notorious offenders tend to be broadband providers and streaming services, especially if you’re out of contract. Look to switch your broadband provider, and you might be surprised at how you can lower your bills – and improve the speeds you enjoy at the same time.
Filters, Batteries, and Quiet Failures
Some entries on your checklist will be easily overlooked if you don’t make an explicit point of checking them. It takes mere seconds to check that your smoke alarm is working properly – and doing so could save your life.
Also in this category we might place the filters on your extractor fan. Often, these can be cleaned in the dishwasher, which means there’s no excuse for allowing the grime to build up.
Another point of concern might be the coils in your fridge. Often, ice can form on these coils, to the point that air can’t actually pass through them. This will, over the long term, severely impact the performance of the device and cause it to run harder for longer. Defrosting the fridge is often a good way to solve this problem. When that doesn’t work, you might decide to turn the appliance off and let it defrost naturally. Do this when it’s empty.
Kitchen and Bathroom TLC
In the kitchen, there are a number of specific problems to address. These mostly relate to moisture and appliances. Make sure that the sealants around the counter are in good condition and that sinks are able to drain properly. Get a good look at the pipework around the sink, too. Sometimes, the symptoms of a small leak can be easily missed.
Garden and Outdoor Upkeep
Larger gardens and patios might require constant attention. But even smaller ones can fall into disrepair if they’re neglected. Make a point of weeding paths and patios and occasionally refinishing wooden fixtures. Blocked drains can be disastrous, so be sure to check those, too.
When to Call the Professionals
Not all household tasks can be accomplished by even a very determined DIYer. It’s important to recognise your limits and understand when a professional is required. In some cases, this is a matter of ensuring minimal stress and quality results. In others, it’s a matter of safety!
