Home Maintenance Tasks You May Have Forgotten In The Ether

Managing and maintaining your home is rarely your first priority in life, that goes to living in the home instead. With a career to focus on, or a family to care for, or all three to worry about, it’s not hard to see why people might forget to paint their garden shed, or to fix that loose leg on their garden furniture, or whatever else may not be a complete emergency.

hammer lying on wooden table

However, once a task has been relegated to the ‘I’ll do it soon’ status, it’s easy for it to be forgotten. Then, months from now you’ll notice the issue again, and feel annoyed that you never decided to get around to it.


Never mind, there’s no great failing here. In this post, we’ll discuss how to remember those maintenance tasks by bringing up some you’re likely to have forgotten. This way, you may remember a task you had fully intended to get to, or perhaps you’ll be reminded of a tangential duty in kind. With that in mind, please consider some of the following advice:

Gutter Checks & Cleaning 

Cleaning gutters and downspouts is an important task that many homeowners forget about until a leak causes them to notice without question. 

Clogged gutters can cause water damage to your home, as well as attract pests such as rodents. It’s important to clean your gutters and downspouts at least twice a year, once in the spring and once in the autumn if you can, to ensure that they are free of debris and functioning properly. This might take a little time to get right, but in the long run you’ll potentially prevent many issues with water building up around the home and ultimately leading to leaks and other issues that become way more costly.

Check Your Alarms & Detectors

Checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is another task that many homeowners forget about. It’s important to check the batteries in these devices at least once a year and to replace them if needed. Additionally, it’s a good idea to test the detectors monthly to ensure that they are working properly. 

This can be easily done by pressing the test button, but some of them will also beep to let you know the battery is getting low. Don’t rely on that however, always schedule this for the start of the year and check every other month that they’re working right. Otherwise, the only time you’ll realize they’re functioning inadequately is the one time they were supposed to work, and that’s not acceptable – especially because you cannot smell carbon monoxide either.

Seal Your Windows & Doors, Checking On Insulation Around The Home

Sealing windows and doors is an important task that can help to reduce energy costs and improve the comfort of your home. Over time, the seals around your windows and doors can wear out, which can cause drafts and let in unwanted pests. In some cases, it can also lead to damp, especially if the unwanted ventilation leaves the walls very cold, and moist air from inside touches it and hangs on that surface area.

As such, it’s a good idea to check the seals around your windows and doors at least once a year and reseal them if needed. A basic caulk can be the best solution, but also replacing insulation may be necessary depending on your needs.

Checking On Your HVAC system

Maintaining your HVAC system is crucial for keeping your home comfortable and energy efficient as sealing your windows and doors was. This includes things like changing air filters, cleaning ducts, and having the system serviced by a professional at least once a year. Check out these essential reasons to get your air ducts cleaned as a fantastic resource to place this higher on your list.

Moreover, such maintenance can ensure your HVAC system is running at peak performance and will avoid breakdowns, which are always unwanted. Not only will this save you money on energy bills, but it will also increase the lifespan of your appliance, and that in itself is going to save you a great deal of cash over the long term.

It’s Good To Check For Pests

Checking for pests is an important task that many homeowners forget about until the annoying little critters make their presence known. Pests such as termites, ants, and rodents can cause significant damage to your home if left untreated. However, some pests may even be protected, which can cause you to pause other plans you might have had. For instance, bats are protected in many countries, and you may just have to wait for them to get bored and fly off until you can replace your roof – but at least this way you can create openings for them to leave and gently shoo them should that be permitted.

 It’s important to regularly inspect your home for signs of pests and to have a pest control professional treat your home if necessary. Additionally, taking preventative measures such as sealing entry points and removing food sources can help to prevent pests from entering your home, as discussed earlier in our insulation section.

Droppings, scratches, scuttling sounds, all of this can be a good indicator that pests are nearby. However, if you hear the humming of a hive then it’s important to bring the professionals in to begin with.

Always Think Of The Foundations, As Many Don’t

Checking the foundation of your home can seem like a silly activity, after all in the house isn’t collapsing then the foundations are properly working as intended, right? Yett he foundation of your home is responsible for supporting the entire structure and any issues with it can cause serious problems, even in minor ways.

It’s important to regularly inspect your foundation for cracks, settling, or other signs of damage and to have them repaired by a professional. Additionally, taking measures such as maintaining proper drainage and landscaping can help to prevent foundation issues from occurring. If you notice cracks in the wall, especially if they grow over months, this is a sign of subsidence and should be addressed right away. It will help you stop a small issue from becoming a major problem, and potentially even condemn your house. As you can see, sometimes it’s the little things we forget about that cause the most problems.

Believe It Or Not, Many Homeowners Forget Their Roofing Systems Too

Adamaged or aging roof can lead to leaks, water damage, and even structural issues. It’s important to regularly inspect your roof for signs of damage, such as missing or cracked shingles, and to have any repairs done by a professional. 

Additionally, having your roof inspected by a professional at least once a year can help to identify any potential issues and prevent them from becoming major problems. Keeping your roof in good condition can also extend its lifespan and protect your home from the elements. Check on the warranty of your roofing system too, it might be that you’re well within the time limit for additional repairs or even your money back if a prior installation failed to match the guarantee provided to you. 

If a roof works, it works, and that’s why many people put it out of their mind. But you don’t have to settle for that, as proactive inspections can help you avoid costly problems later on down the line.

With this advice, you’re sure to attend to the home maintenance tasks that you may have otherwise forgotten in the either. Life is busy, and you don’t have to be neglectful for certain issues to leave your memory. We hope this helps jog it once more.

Krystal | Sunny Sweet Days
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