| By :
Stewart Wrighter
While you may be responsible about keeping your home clean and tackling some of the more obvious maintenance issues, there may be other tasks that are overlooked. They do not cause a problem and you barely notice them until it is too late. Then you think back in time and wish you would have dealt with the issues when you were still in control and able to prevent the household emergency. If you think there may be tasks around your home that fit this description, you are not alone. Sometimes homeowners do not even realize how much control they have over their environment. Many young homeowners learn the hard way and know to deal with certain tasks because of previous problems. An example of this is dealing with heat pump repair or duct cleaning. Both of these tasks may not make it to your daily to-do list, but if you want to prevent future problems, it is important to deal with them before it is too late. Another chore often overlooked around the home is gutter cleaning. Since gutters are elevated on the home, you may not see the dirt and debris that builds up in the gutter. When you realize flooding is being caused due to clogged gutters, you climb on the ladder only to realize there is years' worth of slimy gunk to pull out of the gutter system. Clean your gutters at least twice a year when the seasons change and you are prepping for winter or summer. If you have a tree that has a tendency to drop its leaves over your gutter, you may need to clean more than bi-annually. You can also purchase gutter guards that prevent leaves and other debris from falling into and building up in your gutter system. If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, it is important to have it maintained and cleaned twice a year. This goes for the chimney too. When the stove or fireplace is not in use, you may forget about it and not bother having it cleaned. Unfortunately, the cold weather will arrive before you know it and it is unsafe to use a fireplace that is not clean. Be sure you are prepared by putting a good cleaning on your late summer list of chores. In addition to smoke detectors, home owners should add carbon monoxide detectors to their home's safety system. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that has no odor, so unless you have the detector installed, you will not realize you have a problem until it is too late. The detectors are especially important during the winter months when the house is sealed up with little ventilation to the outdoors and you are burning and heating the space. Finally, make sure you insulate your pipes. When focusing on insulation in your home, you are likely thinking about personal comfort and keeping energy costs low. However, ensuring your pipes are protected from the bitter cold is important to protect from busted pipes and flooding. Inspect your home for pipes with outdoor exposure and pay special attention to those pipes with insulation cord and fiber insulation packing.
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