How to Keep Your Home in Good Shape

My blog focuses on Home/Living Discussions and Home/Property Discussions. You home is not just something you buy, but instead is something that must be maintained optimized for your happiness and also for future financial moves. The following contributed post is entitled, How to Keep Your Home in Good Shape.

* * *

Pexels – CCO Licence

Owning a home is a lot like owning a giant, creaky pet. It doesn’t do tricks, it eats money, and if you ignore it too long, it’ll start leaking, cracking, and groaning in weird places. Whether you live in a suburban palace or a two-bedroom fixer-upper with “personality,” keeping your home in good shape doesn’t have to be a full-time job. A few regular habits can save you from big repair bills and awkward conversations with your future self.

The Roof Over Your Head (Literally)

You’d be amazed how many people forget they even have a roof until water starts pouring through the ceiling during a rainstorm. Check your roof at least once a year. Look for missing shingles, saggy spots, or mysterious green patches that definitely shouldn’t be there. A little maintenance now is a lot cheaper than emergency buckets and ceiling repair later.

Gutters: Gross but Important

Yes, cleaning gutters is disgusting. Yes, you still need to do it. Clogged gutters mean water gets creative and starts pooling around your foundation or flooding your basement. Make it part of your fall routine. Gloves, a scoop, and a resigned attitude are all you really need.

HVAC Servicing: The Quiet Hero of Indoor Comfort

Your heating and cooling systems deserve more love. They work quietly in the background, asking for very little. Just a regular HVAC servicing, say, once a year, can keep your system efficient and catch problems before they turn into “why is it 89 degrees indoors” moments. Bonus: you might even lower your energy bill, which means more cash for things like snacks or grown-up furniture.

Caulk and Paint Are Secret Weapons

Cracks happen. Around windows, along trim, in places you didn’t even know existed. Caulking is like skincare for your house; it fills in the lines and keeps moisture out. Same goes for paint. Besides making everything look clean and fresh, it acts as a protective layer against wear and weather. Grab a brush and give your home that little refresh it’s been silently begging for.

Plumbing: Don’t Let the Drip Win

A tiny drip from a faucet might seem like a small thing, but it can become a moldy, water-damaged disaster faster than you’d think. Check under sinks. Listen for running toilets. Pay attention to water pressure. Plumbing is one of those things you never want to surprise you. Spoiler alert: it never surprises you in a good way.

Floors Need Love Too

Wipe them, mop them, vacuum them. But also keep an eye out for signs of deeper trouble like warping or buckling. That could mean a moisture problem, and moisture problems turn into “Why does it smell like a swamp in here” problems.

Your home is your sanctuary, and that means you need to really make the effort to keep it in good shape, so that it can support you and your family in living a happy, healthy and comfortable life, come what may. You can do this by keeping on top of things before they turn into disaster, so what are you waiting for?

Author: anwaryusef

Anwar Y. Dunbar is a Regulatory Scientist. Being a naturally curious person, he is also a student of all things. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Prior to starting the Big Words Blog Site, Anwar published and contributed to numerous research articles in competitive scientific journals reporting on his research from graduate school and postdoctoral years. After falling in love with writing, he contributed to the now defunct Examiner.com, and the Edvocate where he regularly wrote about: Education-related stories/topics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Financial Literacy; as well as conducted interviews with notable individuals such as actor and author Hill Harper. Having many influences, one of his most notable heroes is author, intellectual and speaker, Malcolm Gladwell, author of books including Outliers and David and Goliath. Anwar has his hands in many, many activities. In addition to writing, Anwar actively mentors youth, works to spread awareness of STEM careers, serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the David M. Brown Arlington Planetarium, serves as Treasurer for the JCSU Washington, DC Alumni Chapter, and is active in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. He also tutors in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics. Along with his multi-talented older brother Amahl Dunbar (designer of the Big Words logos, inventor and a plethora of other things), Anwar is a “Fanboy” and really enjoys Science-Fiction and Superhero movies including but not restricted to Captain America Civil War, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Prometheus. He is a proud native of Buffalo, NY.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.