9 Home Maintenance Jobs That Often Get Forgotten About

When was the last time you cleaned your dryer vent or checked your fridge coils? These home maintenance jobs are easy to forget but crucial for a safe, efficient home.

Even those that are obsessed with their homes being magazine perfect will agree that home maintenance isn’t exactly the most thrilling topic. But guess what’s even less thrilling?

Suddenly realizing you’ve got a moldy washing machine or a refrigerator that’s on the fritz. Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. If you’re here because you want to keep your home in the best of shape without spending hours at a time on boring chores, you’re in the right place.

9 Home Maintenance Tasks You Always Forget

Here are those sneaky home maintenance tasks that a lot of us forget about. Let’s tackle them now to avoid that annoying headache later on.

Clean your dryer vent

You might think that your dryer is fine because you clear out the lint after every use, but there’s a good chance that lint has escaped elsewhere into your dryer. Pull out the lint collector and check every nook and crevice of your dryer for any lingering lint.

Everything will be clean, safe, and there’s a good chance your dryer will run more efficiently, which is also a big win.

Check your refrigerator coils

You never really think about your refrigerator until something goes wrong. However, by checking it regularly, you could eliminate the need to replace it or repair it. Pull it out and check the coils on your fridge – they’ll either be behind it or under it – and gently clean them.

If there’s dust, gently remove it and sweep behind your fridge. If there’s anything else, again, clean it gently and make sure the area is clean before putting it back into place. Don’t forget to unplug it before doing any of this!

While you’re at it, check the drain hole in your refrigerator. It’s a hole that will be fairly low down at the back of your fridge. It can easily get blocked by moisture or food particles, which can then lead to your fridge working overtime, water accumulation, and food getting frozen or going bad before its time. Refrigerator drain hole cleaners are really cheap and easy to use, so don’t put it off!

Deep clean appliances

Speaking of things we forget about until there’s a problem, the same goes for pretty much any other appliance we use in our home. Even the appliances that clean things for us need cleaning, so now’s the time to give them some TLC too. For example, your washing machine deals with dirt and sweat from your clothes, not to mention the detergent you run through it all of the time.

The same goes for other appliances like your dishwasher and your garbage disposal. There are so many cheap products and hacks that you can use to clean them. Not only is cleaning them a must for sanitary reasons, but it will help them last longer before having to replace them too!

Check your bathroom extractor fan

The bathroom extractor fan is another one that goes unthought about. Be honest with yourself, when was the last time you even looked at it, let alone cleaned it? The whole purpose of the fan is to extract moisture from your bathroom during and after a shower or a bath to prevent mold and mildew build up. And, if it’s blocked, it’s not going to do a very good job.

How do you know it’s blocked? Apart from the sight of dust, there’s a good chance it will make a funny noise when it’s on. Even if it doesn’t, it’s worth checking.

All you need to do is turn off the power and pop off the cover. Use a microfiber cloth to get rid of build up dust and then go in with a damp cloth to give it a good clean. If you can’t reach in easily, you can use your vacuum to get rid of all of the dust. 

Triple check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are there for a good reason – to literally save your life! Check the batteries in each, and press the button to make sure they’re working properly. Remember that if the units are over ten years old then it’s a good idea to replace them completely. You’d rather be safe than sorry.

This is a job that takes next to no time at all, and you should prioritise doing it at least once a month. Don’t wait until the batteries start screaming at you to be replaced.

Flush out your water heater

If you’ve noticed your hot water is running out faster than normal when you’re in the shower or running a bath, it might not be completely in your head. It’s not uncommon for sediment to build up in water heaters, which makes it much harder for your water heater to run smoothly and efficiently.

Take the time to flush your water heater at least once a year to make sure you’re getting the hot water you need. Not only that, it will prolong the life of your water heater and keep it running efficiently.

You can do it yourself, but if you’d rather not mess about with it, you can call your plumber in to do it for you. It should be a pretty quick and inexpensive job, but also one that could save you a lot of money in the long run.

Check for leaky pipes

A leaky pipe can spring up out of nowhere, and nobody wants to wake up one day to a flooded home. That’s why it’s important to check your pipes for even the smallest of leaks on a regular basis.

While it’s a cost you might not want to deal with, it’s going to cost significantly less than if you left it and your home gets flooded.

Seal draughty windows

Over time, the seals on your windows and doors can lose the ability to keep draughts out of your home. If you’ve noticed any breeze in your home when all of your windows and doors are completely shut, there’s a good chance you’ve got some air leaks somewhere.

Not only is this annoying, but it’s not very energy efficient. It’s fairly easy to seal air leaks in your windows too. Don’t pay more on heating or cooling your home, check for broken seals!

Clean your gutters

Finally, cleaning your gutters is probably a job you’d rather not be doing, but it’s a must at least once every season. If you don’t you could end up with water damage, pests, and multiple roof issues.

Get up there and clean them out to save yourself some money and the headache of dealing with it all.

Essential Home Maintenance Jobs Most People Overlook

Staying on top of these home maintenance jobs isn’t just about avoiding expensive repairs; it’s about creating a safer, more comfortable living space. Regularly cleaning dryer vents, checking refrigerator coils, and flushing out your water heater are simple tasks that can save you money and stress.

By making these chores part of your routine, you’ll extend the lifespan of your appliances, boost your home’s efficiency, and reduce safety hazards. Remember, a little maintenance now can prevent major headaches later. Ready to get started? Grab this checklist and tackle those forgotten chores today!