One of the best ways to keep your home in good condition is to do checkups once or twice a year. A few impromptu inspections can make your home safer and avoid expensive repairs for things you might miss during your daily life. Owners should pay close attention to areas where hidden problems can develop that might cause unseen damage to the house.
A Firm Foundation
Everything rests on your foundation. You can't look at every square inch of your foundation, since it's buried in the ground, but you should take the time to look at as much as you can. The foundation is visible around the outside of the house as well as in the basement or crawlspace under the house. Cracks, signs of water damage, or any shifting in the structure should be cause for alarm and a professional inspection.
Attic and Roof
Even a small crevice in the roof or a few missing shingles can become a real problem over the course of several years. A healthy roof doesn't leak at all. Unfortunately, the empty space in the attic or empty spaces beneath the roof can mask water damage for a long time allowing rot and mold growth to set in. Homeowners should take the time to poke their heads in the attic and crawl spaces, as well as check out the roof exterior if they can do so safely.
Pipes and Plumbing Fixtures
Residential plumbing systems are a labyrinth of pipes, fixtures, and appliances threaded throughout the entire home. It's something we rely on pretty much every day and this constant use means there's always a chance of a breakdown. A good home checkup should definitely include a close inspection of all accessible pipes, drains, and water pressure for sinks, tubs, and hoses.
Circuit Check
Electrical problems are one of the most difficult to test and it's important that homeowners avoid any kind of unsafe contact with outlets, appliances, or wires. The best way to do a checkup on your system is to note any changes or unusual behavior from your devices. If you notice certain rooms or fixtures burn out bulbs much faster than others or if certain breakers keep tripping during normal use, then it's a good idea to get an electrician to check things out. Of course, any visible signs of scorching around outlets or burning smells should be seen by a pro immediately.
When it comes to home checkups, safety and security are the main concerns. Plumbing, electrical, and water damage are always near the top due to the hazards to human health. Roofing and foundation checks are also priorities because it's easy for damage to start slow and go unnoticed until it reaches a critical point where prevention is no longer an option.
