There are some things that when forgotten could end up costing you a lot of money. Here are five monthly home maintenance tips not to forget.
Check, clean or replace your range hood filter
Over time, range hood filters collect a lot of grease, and at a certain point this is a fire hazard. You may not need to replace or even clean your range hood filters, but at least checking them each month is a great minimum cadence.
If you do need to clean them, it’s pretty easily done:
- Get your sink full with boiling water, or super hot tap water
- Pour in a healthy amount of degreasing dish soap and a ¼ cup of baking soda. Mix this around with a brush
- Fully submerge the filters for at least 10 minutes
- After time is up, scrub the remaining grease away
- Rinse them off once the grease is gone and dry them with a paper or cloth towel
Check your HVAC filters
Replacement timelines for HVAC filters can vary depending on the size of them and what type of system you have, but checking the condition once a month is a great way to make sure you replace it when you need to.
So when should you replace your HVAC filter? A few common signs are:
- An obvious build up of dust and debris on the filter
- Your current filter has surpassed the manufacturer’s recommended lifespan
- You notice that your home is dustier than normal
- Your HVAC system is cycling longer than normal
Check your fire extinguishers
A general rule of thumb is that fire extinguishers last 5 – 15 years. Do you know how old yours is? Look for an expiration date on the canister or label, and if that date is past it’s probably a good idea to replace it.
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Getting in a habit of doing this monthly is a great way to make sure neither of these die on you. To test a smoke alarm, just push and hold the test button; this is located in different places depending on the type, but it will be on the front or side somewhere. If it goes off uncomfortably loudly that means it’s in working order. If it doesn’t at all or it sounds weak, it probably needs new batteries.
Testing a carbon monoxide detector is the exact same process. Just press and hold the test button to ensure it sounds, and replace the batteries if it doesn’t.
Look for cracks and touch up where needed
Cracks in any caulking or grout in showers and tubs are common, and best touched up as soon as you notice them. Be sure not to apply caulk over grout, as overtime mold can form as caulk recedes.