People think that their homes are investments. But after they’ve lived in them for ten years, they soon realize that that’s not actually the case. Properties require constant spending to keep them in good condition. If you don’t maintain them, things soon begin to go wrong, and, before you know it, you have a full-blown disaster on your hands. 

Most experts recommend that you spend between 1 and 3 percent of your home’s value on upkeep every year. If you do that, then it means that the real amount you’re spending could be between $2,000 and $6,000 per year on a $200,000 property. And while house prices are rising and covering those costs, that situation won’t last forever. Eventually, asset prices will come back down to Earth. 

For that reason, it’s critical to figure out what you can do to save money. Fortunately, this post is here to help. We show you how you can cut your home maintenance costs, reduce spending, and live a better quality of life. 

Clean Out Your Gutters

Failing to clean out your gutters can lead to high home maintenance costs in the future. If they are clogged with leaves and twigs, they’ll overflow. When water pours down the outside of your home, it causes damage to the foundations and masonry. 

Therefore, cleaning out your gutters is one of the most cost-effective ways to maintain your home. Removing debris is simple and effective, and ensures that the guttering itself doesn’t degrade over time.

Ideally, you want to unclog your gutters around twice per year. If you have a ladder, you can do this yourself. Alternatively, you can get a handyman to do it for you for a small fee. 

Give Your Water Heater A Regular Service

Water heaters seem like simple pieces of equipment. And, for the most part, they are. However, over time they can degrade and eventually become clogged. That’s because they cause particles to precipitate out of the water and react with heating elements and other interior components. Eventually, you wind up with thick sludge at the bottom of the tank that can cause accelerated damage to the internals. 

To remove sediment and gunk, start by attaching a garden hose to the drain valve. They release the water from the tank until it runs clear. You’ll notice that at the start, it’s a murky brown but, over time, the color improves. 

Once you get rid of the gunk, you’ll notice that your water heater works more efficiently and your heating bills go down. Aim to drain your water tank two or three times every year or so, observing the color of the water. 

Change Your HVAC Filters

HVAC systems are much more complicated than water heaters and require continuous maintenance. Because of this, they are expensive pieces of kit to keep running. All sorts of things can go wrong. 

Most problems, though, emerge from failing to change the filters often enough. They eventually become filthy, reducing both heating and cooling efficiency, and causing the compressor and heating unit to work overtime.

The simple solution is just to change your filters regularly. The free flow of air combined with low particle numbers in the system means that components will last for longer. You could potentially double the lifespan of your HVAC beyond normal levels.

Getting an HVAC tune-up might seem like a chore, but it is much cheaper than letting problems fester. Make sure that you schedule annual maintenance. And change filters every few months yourself if you know how to do it. 

Solve Plumbing Problems Today

While putting off plumbing problems seems like a good way to save money, it’s a false economy. You’ll wind up losing more money in the future than you gain today. 

According to https://madesplumbing.com/, there are all sorts of serious plumbing problems that can lead to knock-on costs. For instance, failing to solve issues with pipe pressure can cause damage throughout your entire system. 

If there is a plumbing issue, get a professional to give your home the once-over. Get them to fix any problems that could cause costs to increase in the future. 

Address Weaknesses In Your Home’s Exterior

You might not think that the odd blemish or patch of peeling paint on your home’s exterior is a big issue. But nature will take advantage of any weakness and make it ten times worse. 

Look out for the following: 

• Chips in your exterior paintwork
• Damaged or broken stucco
• Missing mortar or masonry
• Damage to your chimney stack
• Dirt or grime on your home’s exterior

If you notice a problem with the paintwork, touch up your home’s exterior or start from scratch if issues are widespread. Pay particular attention to areas that receive the most wear and tear, such as stair railings and columns.

If there are issues with your stucco, you can usually fix them yourself. Buy a latex repair compound from the local hardware store and then use the putting to plug the gap. These products form a barrier that prevents water from getting in. 

You can also replace missing mortar. Repair compounds are inexpensive and you can use them to fill unwanted gaps between your brickwork easily. It’s a quick process and doesn’t require any specialist knowledge. 

Lastly, you should give your home’s exterior a good clean at least once per year. This way, you reduce the risk of biologicals infiltrating the structure and causing damage.

To remove dirt from your home’s exterior, use buckets of soapy water using trisodium phosphate. This compound helps to remove stubborn grime but shouldn’t damage the exterior of your property. 

Start Making Caulking A Habit

If the caulk fails in your kitchen or bathroom, the cost of repairs can be exceptionally high. Water infiltrates into the walls, leading to mold and damage. 

You can prevent this, though, by making friends with the caulk gun. The more you become accustomed to removing old caulk and replacing it with new, the less likely it is that your home will succumb to damage. 

Caulk forms an effective seal, preventing moisture that could cause rot and mold from getting through. It seals air leaks that can potentially cause heating and cooling problems on your property. 

As caulk gets older, though, it starts to become brittle. Eventually, it fails, and water gets through. 

Homeowners looking to reduce costs regularly check for weak spots in their caulking and fix them. It’s an ongoing house job, just like cleaning the windows. 

Give Your Home A DIY Inspection

Lastly, giving your home a DIY inspection is another great way to reduce costs. 

Start by going around the outside, looking for cracks in the foundation. Check that the foundations are settling evenly. 

If you’re not sure whether your foundations are moving, make a mark on the exterior and see whether it moves over time. If it does, call a foundation professional immediately. 

Next, check the position of your downspouts. They should carry water at least five feet from your property, and preferably more. If it is less than this, then you can buy inexpensive and flexible extensions. (If your downspouts deposit water directly into drains, then this piece of advice doesn’t apply).

Lastly, prune back trees or bushes that overhang or come into contact with your property. These are dangerous, according to https://www.houselogic.com/ as they can clog gutters and damage roofing. 
Ultimately, keeping home maintenance costs low is all about prevention. While material selection can be important, pros always use preventative methods to reduce household expenses.