Bi-Annual Maintenance

Part of being a new homeowner means having to learn the basics of maintaining your home to prevent larger problems in the future. Below are some of the basic homeowner maintenance items that we encourage all of our new homeowners to perform on a bi-annual basis.

• Clean out your gutters and downspouts from all debris build-up. Water will always find a path to trickle down.. If your gutters and downspouts remain clogged with leaves or twigs, the water will eventually back up and could potentially begin seeping into your home.
• Maintain exposed wood with a clear sealant i.e. exterior beams, posts, and doors. The harsh weather here in Louisiana can quickly break down any exposed wood if not properly sealed.
• Inspect outside of the home for the condition of siding, paint, masonry, stucco and wood trim. Take a step back and look at your home from afar. We can sometimes miss the bigger picture by trying to dig in too deep. Look for chips, cracks, and fading of paint. Touching these up continuously can be much easier and cost-effective than trying to do many touch-ups or repairs all at one time when they pile up.
• Check A/C pan and hot water pan for signs of water then flush the drain lines. Simply pouring a bit of bleach through these lines to break down any debris that could potentially cause a clog. This can be a huge factor in preventing more costly damages.
• Make sure to check your smoke detectors and replace the battery, if necessary. Your detectors will notify you when it is time to change the battery. Just listen for the beep!

To check out the items needed to maintain on a monthly and annual basis, check out our full maintenance video here.