It’s great to work on a home project that gives you instant results, but underneath those results, there’s a load of things you need to consider – and a load of areas of your home you need to make sure are working well, even if you don’t normally think about them. The problem is that most of the time, we won’t even remember those things are there or doing anything until something goes wrong.
Roofs, drains, ventilation systems, insulation, garage doors, foundations, attics… these are the things that don’t get much attention in everyday life, but that are actually incredibly important because they keep everything else running smoothly. And when they’re neglected, the results can be devastating ones. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about caring for the parts of your home you don’t think about.
Your Roof
Out of sight, out of mind… that’s usually how it works with a roof, and most of us don’t think about it until there’s a leak, a particularly strong storm that means some tiles fly off, and so on. But your roof is one of the most important parts of your home because it protects it, and it doesn’t just keep rain out. It helps with insulation, ventilation, and even structural integrity of the building.
A good habit to get into is to give your roof a once-over at least once a year. Of course, you don’t need to climb up there yourself, and instead you can use binoculars or even a drone if you’ve got one, or you could hire a local roofer to get a professional opinion on things, and you’ll want to look out for missing shingles, moss build-up, rusted flashing, or sagging. The cost of checking things out is nothing compared to the cost of a new roof, so it’s really worth doing and making small fixes where they’re needed.
Your Gutters
No one really likes cleaning out their gutters – it’s dirty and smelly, and it’s hard work too. But the thing to remember is that clogged gutters are a fast track to water damage because when water can’t drain properly, it backs up, and that’s when you get a rotting fascia, damp basements, and foundation cracks (and none of that is good).
If you’ve got trees nearby, it means you need to clean out the gutters more often, especially in the autumn. You can also install leaf guards to help out and make the job a smaller one, plus it’s worth checking that downspouts are angled away from your home so water isn’t draining straight into the ground around your foundations.
Your Foundations
A lot of homeowners never give their foundations a second thought until they spot a crack or start noticing that the doors in their home don’t close all the way like they used to, for example. It’s true that not all cracks are serious, but some can be, and if your house is older, or if you live in an area with shifting soil, it’s wise to keep an eye on your foundation over time.
You’ll want to be on the lookout for new cracks, sloping floors, or windows that are now sticking. And if you spot water pooling around the base of your home, that’s also a sign that there’s a problem with your foundations. These might only seem like small things on their own, but they could lead to (or point to) bigger problems happening under your home, and that could be a disaster. It’s wise to get a professional inspection carried out every couple of years even if you don’t see a problem – it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Your Attic
Most of us use our attic or loft space as a dumping ground for seasonal decorations and childhood memorabilia, but the truth is that this space actually has an important job – it acts as a buffer zone between your living space and the roof. If your attic isn’t properly ventilated or insulated, it can actually lead to mould, heat loss, or moisture build up, and that’s the last thing you want in your home.
In winter, a poorly insulated attic lets heat escape, and that’s going to mean your energy bills get higher. And in summer, it traps heat and makes cooling harder. If the ventilation isn’t working right, that moisture can lead to mould or wood rot, and they’re costly to fix – much more costly than a few insulation upgrades, anyway. Plus, it can add value to your home.
Your Garage Door
The garage door is one of the largest moving parts in most homes, and it’s also one of the most neglected. It’s strange because it’s used every day, often multiple times a day, but maintenance won’t usually happen until it’s visibly got a problem and it’s not working the way it should – when it works well you barely notice it, but when it sticks, creaks, wobbles, or just doesn’t move at all, suddenly it becomes the most important thing for you to deal with.
Older garage doors can also be a security risk, and faulty sensors, weak frames, or worn-out locks basically make your home more vulnerable than you might realise. That’s why regular checks are such a good idea, and you’ll want to make sure your door opens and closes smoothly, the tracks are lined up properly, and any other functions are doing their job in the right way.
Sometimes maintenance isn’t enough, and if your door is outdated or damaged, it might be time for a full garage door repair and replacement. That’s going to improve how the door works and how safe it is, but it can also improve your curb appeal and even energy efficiency, so it’s a change worth making.
Your Air Vents And Ducts
When you think of home comfort, you probably picture a cosy living room or kitchen, not the ductwork running through your walls and ceiling, but they’re actually vital to your comfort, so they’re worth taking care of. They actually distribute heat, remove stale air, and help manage humidity, so you can imagine how bad things would be if they weren’t working properly.
Dirty or blocked ducts don’t just make your HVAC system work harder (which is more expensive for you, not to mention the fact that it means the system will wear out sooner), but they also reduce air quality and can trigger allergies, so if your home feels stuffy, unevenly heated, or smells a bit off, your vents might be to blame.
Changing filters regularly is a good first step, but now and then, it’s worth having the whole system cleaned, especially if your home is older if you’ve had renovations carried out recently (they can be very dusty).
Your Drains, Pipes, And Plumbing
There are few things as annoying – or as messy – as a surprise plumbing issue, and yet the problem is that most plumbing issues are surprises because of all the pipework that’s involved being hidden away or even buried underground where no one can see it and keep an eye on it.
However, there are some signs that can be good clues that there’s something wrong, including slow drains, low water pressure, or unexpected noises in the pipes. The good news is that regular maintenance doesn’t have to be a complicated process, and it’s about clearing hair from shower drains, making sure not to pour grease down the kitchen sink, and things like that. It’s also wise to know where the main water shut off valve is because if something goes wrong, that’s the first place you’ll need to head. Plus, don’t ignore small drips or leaks – even if they don’t seem like much, they’re not going to fix themselves, and they’ll probably get worse over time, and if that happens, they’ll cause more damage and cost more to fix.
Your Seals
This is something simple that gets missed all the time – the seals around your windows and doors. Over time, caulking cracks, weatherstripping wears out, and gaps appeal, and that means drafts, moisture leaks, and even insects getting inside your home.
It’s a good idea to take a slow walk round your home, inside and out, and run your hand along window edges and door frames to feel for drafts. Plus, you can also look for visible cracks or signs of water. If you see something, it’s best to fix the issue as soon as possible so you can improve your comfort, lower your bills, and keep your home looking good.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to check everything in your house every day – that’s just unrealistic – but checking on a regular, perhaps rotating, basis is a wise thing to do. That way, you’ll always be on top of any problems, and you’ll be able to budget to get them fixed a lot more easily.
Once you start taking care of the parts of your home you can’t normally see and therefore don’t normally think about, you’ll find things are a lot more comfortable, and that’s the whole point.
