So you’ve finally made it through another year as a homeowner – congrats! Now that the holidays are over and winter is winding down, it’s time to start thinking about those important tasks you need to check off to keep your home in working order. We’re talking about the big annual jobs – the ones that aren’t exactly fun but need to get done to avoid bigger headaches down the road.
You know, things like servicing your oven, cleaning out the gutters, fertilising the lawn, and organising pest control. Ugh, we know – so not exciting. But staying on top of preventative maintenance is key to being a responsible homeowner.
The good news is, we’ve put together a helpful list of all the must-do annual jobs you’ll want to tackle over the next few months. Better yet, we can take some off your plate (just not your spring cleaning) to make your to-do list more manageable.
Pest Maintenance: Keeping Bugs and Rodents at Bay
You’ll want to get a handle on any pest problems around your home to avoid unwanted surprises or damage.
Check gutters and downspouts and clear any clogs to prevent standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Do a perimeter check for any cracks or holes in foundations, siding, roofs, and windows that rodents or insects could use to get inside. Seal them up with caulk, weatherstripping, mesh or repair damaged screens. This perimeter check can also help you spot signs of existing pest nests like termite mounds, ant nests or rat populations. If you’re noticing high pest activity on your property, they may be gunning for your home but just haven’t been able to breach it yet.
Secondly, refer to a professional pest control expert to run a standard check-up. This way they can ensure all pest preventative measures are in place and working as expected. They can also see if you have any hidden pest problems lurking beneath the surface.
By taking the time to methodically check for entry points, food sources, nesting spots and signs of damage, you’ll be well on your way to a pest-free home. Make these inspections an annual habit and you’ll avoid headaches and keep your home protected. Staying vigilant is well worth the effort.
Even if you’re doing everything right, sometimes pest infestations still can occur. Organising an annual inspection with an accredited pest control company gives you more security since there are actually anti-pest measures at work.
Gutter and Roof Inspections: Prevent Costly Leaks
Twice a year, make the time to inspect your gutters and roof. It’s not the most glamorous job, but preventing leaks now can save you from costly damage down the road.
Clean Out Gutters
Clogged gutters that are unable to channel water properly are one of the leading causes of leaks. Get up on a ladder and scoop out leaves, sticks and other debris with a trowel or gutter scoop. For stubborn clogs, try using a hose to blast them free.
Check for Damage
While you’re up there, look for any visible damage like rust, holes or sagging gutters that need repair or replacement.
Inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles that provide an opportunity for water to seep in.
Ensure Proper Drainage
Make sure downspouts are securely attached and extend at least 5 feet away from the foundation of your home. Downspouts that empty too close can lead to flooding. With biannual inspections and necessary repairs, you’ll keep your roof and gutters in tip-top shape to protect your home.
A few hours of preventative maintenance twice a year is worth avoiding the headache and high cost of water damage down the line.
HVAC Maintenance: Keep Your System Running Efficiently
To keep your HVAC system running efficiently and save money on energy bills, it’s a good idea to schedule annual maintenance. A technician can perform several important tasks to ensure your system is in working order before the peak summer and winter seasons.
Filter Changes
Replace the filters in your heater, air conditioner, and air purifier once a month or as recommended. Dirty, clogged filters reduce airflow and efficiency. Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency filter for better indoor air quality.
Ductwork Inspection
Have the technician inspect your ductwork for any damage, leaks, or blockages. Sealing and repairing ductwork can improve your system’s efficiency by up to 30% and reduce heating/cooling costs.
Refrigerant Level Check
For central AC units, the technician will check the refrigerant levels and recharge as needed. The proper level of refrigerant is essential for maximum cooling power and efficiency.
General Tune-Up & Safety Check
During the tune-up, the technician will lubricate moving parts, test controls and thermostats, clean burners, check for proper ventilation, test safety switches, and ensure there are no gas leaks or other hazards before the system restarts for the season.
It’s important to set up a regular maintenance schedule to prevent problems and keep your HVAC system running in peak condition. Doing so can save energy, reduce breakdowns, and save you money in the long run. Annual tune-ups are well worth the investment for overall comfort and peace of mind.
Landscaping and Lawn Care: Curb Appeal and Functionality
As a homeowner, basic landscaping and lawn care should be done on a regular basis, but it’s a good start to pencil in a weekend each year for some major jobs. That includes pruning trees, removing debris like collapsed trunks, seed piles and other sorts of gathered debris.
Mowing and Edging
During peak growing season, aim for mowing your lawn once a week to maintain an even cut. Make sure you don’t remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time. After mowing, edge along walkways and driveways for a crisp, clean look.
Fertilising
Fertilise your lawn in the spring and fall to provide nutrients for healthy growth. Use a balanced, all-purpose fertiliser and follow the directions on the product packaging for how much and how often to apply based on your grass type.
Mulching
Add a fresh layer of mulch around trees, shrubs, and garden beds. Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, prevents weeds, and gives your landscaping a polished appearance. Organic mulches like wood chips and pine needles also help improve the soil as they decompose.
Pruning
Trim shrubs and small trees to shape them and promote new growth. Remove any dead or damaged branches. Early spring, before new growth starts, is an ideal time for pruning many plants.
Weeding
Go through all your planting beds and lawns, manually pulling any weeds. Remove weeds by the entire root system to prevent regrowth. Do a sweep for weeds at least once a month during peak growing season.
By dedicating time each season to basic landscaping and lawn care, you’ll keep your property looking fresh, tidy, and inviting all year round. Best of all, a clean yard can actually deter pests as well. Pests love hiding in tall grass and making homes in piles of debris that are left behind by bushes or unkempt trees. By keeping your yard tidy, pests struggle to find a place to feel safe.
Deep Cleaning: Scrub Down Neglected Spaces
Deep Cleaning: Scrub Down Neglected Spaces
As a homeowner, it’s easy to neglect certain areas of your home that don’t get used often or aren’t on display for guests. However, deep cleaning these spots at least once a year is important for health, safety, and maintenance.
Tackle your laundry rooms and behind all appliances, clearing out cobwebs, dust, and clutter. Check for any signs of leaks or pest damage and make necessary repairs.
Cabinets and closets also deserve an annual scrub down. Remove everything from the space and wipe shelves and drawers clean before putting items back in an organised fashion. This allows you to purge unused belongings and reevaluate how you’re storing necessities.
Don’t forget about your garage, shed, and any outdoor storage units. Remove and sort through everything, keeping only what’s useful and in good working condition. Sweep floors, wipe down surfaces, and make any needed repairs to the space itself.
While tackling these annual to-dos may not be the most glamorous of jobs, keeping your home clean and clutter-free from top to bottom will give you peace of mind and help ensure everything is functioning as it should. A deep clean of the neglected corners of your home is worth the effort for health, safety, and happiness. Once again, cleaning these areas can deter pests from setting up camp. Under appliances tend to have plenty of snacks for rodents or roaches to eat. By removing all grime, scraps and grease, you remove an ample food source.
Service Large Appliances
Service Large Appliances
Every 6-12 months, it’s a good idea to service your major home appliances like the refrigerator, washer and dryer, dishwasher, oven, and aircon system. These workhorses keep your home running efficiently but need regular maintenance to prevent costly repairs down the road.
Have a technician inspect your refrigerator and aircon system, including the air filter. Dirty filters reduce efficiency and can be a fire hazard. The tech can also check that seals and gaskets are in good shape, coils are clean, and everything is running properly.
Run a cleaning cycle in your dishwasher using a commercial dishwasher cleaner or a DIY solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. This removes built-up grime and residue to keep your dishwasher sparkling and prevent musty smells.
Inspect your washer hoses and dryer vent hose for cracks or damage and replace if needed. Clogged or damaged vents and hoses are dangerous and reduce efficiency.
For gas ovens and ranges, have a technician check gas lines, igniters, and safety mechanisms. They can perform an emissions test to check for any dangerous carbon monoxide leaks.
While DIY maintenance like cleaning filters and running cleaning cycles can save money, for the safety and efficiency of major appliances, professional servicing by a licenced technician is worth the investment. Regular maintenance helps these essential workhorses continue running their best so you can feel at ease in your home.
Solar system service and panels clean
Cleaning your solar panels and servicing your solar system once a year is important to keep everything running efficiently.
Solar panel cleaning
After a year of exposure, your solar panels can accumulate dirt, grime, bird droppings and other debris that reduce their efficiency. Use a hose to spray off large particles. For stuck-on messes, make a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Use a sponge or soft cloth to wipe panels in circular motions, then rinse well with water. Be very careful not to scratch the panels.
For DIY solar panel cleaning, use a telescoping pole and brush specifically designed for solar panels. If your roof is difficult to access or you don’t feel comfortable cleaning panels yourself, hire a professional solar cleaning service to inspect and clean your system. They have proper safety equipment and experience to clean panels without damage.
An annual professional servicing of your whole solar system is also a good idea. The technician will check that all components like inverters, wiring and connections are in working order, ensure your system’s software and security updates are current, and look for any signs of damage or needed repairs to avoid potential issues. Keeping your solar system in tip-top shape will maximise energy production and savings.
With some basic maintenance, your solar panels and system can provide you with renewable energy for decades. Make panel cleaning and a professional servicing appointment today to ensure optimal, uninterrupted performance from your solar investment.
Hot water unit service
It’s a good idea to have your hot water unit serviced annually by a professional to ensure efficient and safe operation. Schedule a service call to:
- Drain and flush the tank to remove built-up sediment. This helps the unit run more efficiently and prevents overheating.
- Inspect the anode rod, the device that prevents corrosion inside the tank. Replace if more than 6 inches of the core wire is exposed.
- Check all connections and seals for any leaks or corrosion and repair or replace as needed. Small drips can waste a lot of energy and water over time.
- Test the temperature and pressure relief valve to ensure it’s functioning properly. This valve prevents dangerous overheating and excessive tank pressure.
- Vacuum and clean the burner or heating elements. Built-up dust and debris reduce heating efficiency and can be a fire hazard.
- Check that all safety mechanisms like flame sensors, limit switches, and thermostats are working correctly. Your hot water unit should shut off automatically if overheating occurs.
- Lubricate the circulating pump, if your unit has one. The pump keeps hot water flowing throughout your plumbing system.
- Discuss any necessary repairs or if it’s time to consider replacement. Most standard hot water units last 8-12 years.
An annual service call for your hot water unit is time and money well spent. It ensures safe and efficient operation, maximises the lifespan, and gives you peace of mind that this essential appliance is working as it should. Consider it preventative maintenance for one of the most used systems in your home.
Termite Inspection
Termites can wreak havoc on homes, so it’s important to have an annual inspection to catch any infestations early. Schedule a visit from a professional exterminator who can thoroughly check your home for signs of termites.
Inspection
During the inspection, the exterminator will scout your home’s exterior and interior for entry points and shelter tubes that termites build. They’ll tap on wood with a hammer to listen for hollow spots where termites may be chewing. The exterminator will also check places where wood meets soil, like porches, decks and crawl spaces. If an active infestation is found, they can treat it to eliminate the colony and prevent future termite damage.
Even if no termites are detected, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Consider having a barrier treatment done, where a chemical barrier is applied around the home’s foundation to deter termites. Barrier treatments typically need to be reapplied every few years to remain effective.
Conducting regular termite inspections and treatments is one of the best ways homeowners can protect one of their most valuable assets—their home. Termites are often called “silent destroyers” because they can eat away at wood for years before any signs of damage appear. Don’t let termites get the upper hand; schedule your annual termite inspection today.
Conclusion
While Cure-All Pest Control can’t help you with your spring clean, we can help If you want to keep your home pest free for the next 12 months. Contact us today and make a pest free tomorrow a reality.
