Your Annual Home Maintenance Schedule

Keeping up with regular schedules for each of your household systems in Austin takes organization. You have the exterior, the interior, the aesthetic, the functionality, and—most importantly—the safety. Mapping out a schedule for when to care for each of these systems will prevent all of them from stacking up at once. Or worse, having them break down.

Here we cover what needs to be done and how often for your home systems to keep functioning smoothly.

Outdoor Maintenance

In the spring, and again in the fall, there are several chores to tidy up around the exterior. Clearing the gutters of leaves, dirt, and birds’ nests will protect your roof from weather damage when the rain can’t properly flow off. Inspect the roof for damaged or missing shingles to repair. It’s also a good idea to clear away dead branches and trim overgrown bushes to prevent damage to your home.

Plumbing Maintenance

Schedule yearly maintenance to maintain your plumbing and minimize water damage. You can conduct the inspection yourself and call in the professionals when maintenance or repair is beyond your ability.

Inspect for leaky pipes and signs of water damage.
Clear all the drains with baking soda and vinegar.
Clear P-traps with a plumbing snake under the sink and in the tub.
Schedule a professional septic inspection to ensure the tank isn’t damaged, doesn’t need to be pumped, and isn’t in danger of tree roots.

Maintaining Your Kitchen Plumbing

In addition to kitchen drain maintenance and cleaning mineral buildup from faucet heads, offering regular care to these appliances is essential for effective kitchen plumbing maintenance.

Garbage disposal. To maintain your disposal, clean it every two weeks. Run ice with a cup of salt through the blades. This clears out food particles that may be stuck to the blades. Next, pour vinegar and baking soda down the disposal. This mixture will froth and foam, cleaning away bacteria and neutralizing odors.
Dishwasher. Keep your dishwasher running smoothly with monthly maintenance. Clean the floor filter of grime and food particle buildup, run the machine with vinegar to sanitize bacteria and neutralize odors, and wipe down the spray arms and door seal to maintain optimal performance.
Refrigerator. Use vinegar once to twice a year to clear the water line and keep your refrigerator producing clean water and ice. Turn off the water supply to your fridge and unscrew the copper pipe on the water tank. Fill the pipe with vinegar and tape it above your water dispenser to allow gravity to pull the vinegar through, clearing your water and ice lines. Clear the line with fresh water before reattaching.

Keeping your home safe from electrical mishaps takes diligence. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) every year in the United States, there are 51,000 electrical fires. These are a few items to put on your annual maintenance list to prevent your home from adding to the statistic.

Test the smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.
Inspect outlets for discoloration or burn marks and test that each works properly.
Schedule an electrical inspection every 3 to 5 years to protect your home from hazards and reduce energy costs.

Maintaining Your HVAC System

When your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system runs smoothly, you and your family stay comfortable all year. If it’s not properly maintained, not only is it too uncomfortably hot or cold, but a short circuit can spark a fire or carbon monoxide can build up in the home. For your family’s comfort and safety, it’s best to schedule a professional inspection twice per year—once in the fall and once in the spring. These are elements of your HVAC system that need attention.

Replace all filters.
Check the air ducts for dust, mold, or other debris.
Inspect the heating element. A carbon monoxide issue can develop in the home if this is damaged.
Clean evaporator coils and condenser.
Empty standing water from drain pans.
Inspect that the fan motor, blades, and blowers are functioning correctly.
Check refrigerant levels and identify any leaks.
Service compressor.
Clear around the outdoor unit.

Sump Pump Maintenance

To ensure it’s working when you need it most, test your pump every year before spring starts. Pour a bucket of water into the sump and monitor if the pump kicks on when the water reaches the appropriate level. If it doesn’t, the system may be clogged or damaged. Call a professional for assistance.

Maintaining Your Water Heater

Tanked water heaters should be flushed at least once a year to prevent sediment buildup. For effective electric water heater maintenance, the technician will inspect the temperature release valve and the anode rod. This rod attracts sediment, preventing the heater from corroding. However, eventually, the rod will corrode and have to be replaced. The temperature release valve releases pressure that builds up in the system. If it fails, it could burst your pipes.

Setting Your HVAC Maintenance Schedule in Austin

As a homeowner, the list of things to put on your home maintenance schedule is never-ending. Keeping the yard presentable, the electrical, HVAC, and plumbing safe and functioning, and working on new projects can get overwhelming. Our HVAC experts at Precision Heating and Air can make your HVAC maintenance a breeze. Give us a call at (512) 379-6385 or schedule service online to get started.