With a little easy maintenance throughout the year, homeowners can prevent emergency repairs down the line. Experts recommend posting a task checklist in a convenient location, such as on the refrigerator or a corkboard.
"Maintenance is usually a lot simpler than a repair, and a lot more affordable," said Chris Terrill, CEO of HomeAdvisor, a website offering resources for home repair and improvement projects. "Keep a checklist handy during the entire year, so you don't forget any timely tasks."
Here are tasks HomeAdvisor recommends not to forget to complete each year:
• On a quarterly basis, test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This is for safety and savings.The average national cost of repairing fire and smoke damage is $4,195.
• Twice a year, clean gutters and downspouts. To prevent damage, the downspout needs to be free of debris so it can release water three feet from the home's foundation. The average national cost of cleaning the gutter and downspout is $181. However, the average national cost of repairing the foundation of a house can cost up to 24 times that amount.
"Maintenance is usually a lot simpler than a repair, and a lot more affordable," said Chris Terrill, CEO of HomeAdvisor, a website offering resources for home repair and improvement projects. "Keep a checklist handy during the entire year, so you don't forget any timely tasks."
Here are tasks HomeAdvisor recommends not to forget to complete each year:
• On a quarterly basis, test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This is for safety and savings.The average national cost of repairing fire and smoke damage is $4,195.
• Twice a year, clean gutters and downspouts. To prevent damage, the downspout needs to be free of debris so it can release water three feet from the home's foundation. The average national cost of cleaning the gutter and downspout is $181. However, the average national cost of repairing the foundation of a house can cost up to 24 times that amount.