Here's some maintenance suggestions for first-time buyers who often are unfamiliar with home maintenance issues. Regular mainteance can prevent small problems from turning into big ones.
- Change your air filters monthly. Clogged filters decrease efficiency.
- Drain your water heater at least once a year. Sediment will drain out along with the water from the water tank. This can prolong the heater's useful life.
- Check your circuits. Test the performance of the circuit breakers in your electrical circuit box by flipping them off and back on. If you have a circuit that keeps tripping with normal daily use, call an electrician.
- Watch out for drips. Check under sinks for leaks or water stains that might indicate leaks. Catching a small problem early can prevent water damage.
- Be aware of life expectancy. Water heaters, heating and cooling systems, roofs, and other vital components should be replaced before they fail. Here's a general ballpark of the life span for key components:
Exterior Paint - 5-10 years
Heating/Cooling - 15-20 years
Roof - 13-15 years
Water Heater - 7-15 years
- Keep water out. Check each season for signs of water damage to your home. Flashing, the metal pieces used to seal the areas between roofs and chimneys and around doors and windows, are especially vulnerable to damage by wind or age. Loose flashing can let water seep under a roof or inside walls.
To view homes in the Wilmington, NC area visit www.TheKeytoWilmington.com
Diane Parker, Broker/Realtor/e-PRO
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty
910-617-5244 or 910-202-3767
DianeParker@SeaCoastRealty.com
