January always brings with it a desire for a fresh start, and thinking of your home is no different! Here is a checklist to get everything in shape for the new year.
Clean under and behind any appliances, and clean all closets. This will keep dust and bits of food to a minimum, which in turn can prevent bad odors and reduce the occurrence of pests and allergies.
While it’s cold outside take advantage of your indoor time and clean and organize your closets. January is a great time to clean out your closets. Use leftover boxes from the holidays to pack unused items and donate them. Clean, organized closets are a great way to start a new year.
Change Water and Icemaker Filters. It is recommended that the water filter be replaced every 9 months, 2000 gallons of water use, when the indicator light comes on, or as needed.
Clean out the kitchen and pantry. Remove everything from the pantry, toss out stale and expired foods and wipe down the shelves before putting everything back.
Decide on this year’s home projects. Use this month’s indoor time and review home maintenance projects you’d like to accomplish this year. Be sure to write them down. Studies show if you write your goals down you’re more likely to achieve them.
Update your home inventory list. Home accidents and disasters can and do happen. Be prepared with a current home inventory list in the event you need to file a home insurance claim. It’s such a stressful time and the last thing you want to do is spend a lot of time and energy trying to remember all the items you lost in your home when filing a home insurance claim.
If you don’t have a home inventory list, start one now. If you do have one make sure it’s updated. Use these excellent tips from State Farm Insurance on how to create a home inventory list.
Create safe and beautiful outdoor areas that offer a stunning landscape to your home. Good landscape design can add up to 20% of your home’s value. Poor landscaping has an adverse effect. Take time and brainstorm ways to improve your landscape design and outdoor safety features before warmer weather approaches. Add lighting to entryways and garden pathways, to decks and around trees for safety and ambiance.
Check for ice dams and take measures to remove them. These 5 signs you have an ice dam will help determine if you have any. Be proactive and remove ice dams to prevent damage and exorbitant water damage repair costs to your home.
Protect your pipes from freezing. Frozen (and bursting) pipes can cause a lot damage to your home. Take preventative measures and protect your pipes from freezing.
Wash all of your blankets and comforters. Your family room blankets have probably had a lot of use during the holidays and cold months. Take time and wash all of them. You’ll love the softness and scent of freshly laundered blankets while you’re binging on your favorite shows!
Create a Home Maintenance Log Book. Organize, Schedule, Plan, Repair, and Renovate with a home maintenance log book. Your home is one of the most exciting purchases you will make. It’s also one of the most valuable assets you can own. It’s simultaneously the playground, retreat and castle for you and your family. Make sure you keep track of your warranties and maintenance records. Bonus – when it’s time to sell your home, you have all of the dates handy for any updates or repairs you have completed!
Change your air filters. Some systems want this to happen once per month, others suggest once every 3 months. If you have pets or live in a dusty climate, more often is better. Keeping a clean 7 fresh air filter on your system helps your furnace run better, and keeps allergens at a minimum.
What are some other home maintenance tasks that didn’t make it onto this list that you do in January?
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