Keeping your home in optimal condition requires a lot of attention and effort. With plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems to look after, Boston homeowners have no shortage of household responsibility. Nobody enjoys this seasonal upkeep, but paying the price of neglect is even worse. Here’s a quick checklist of some DIY maintenance that can help prevent costly damage.
Clean mineral deposits off faucets and showerheads
If you’ve ever noticed a mysterious white, chalky substance developing on faucets or showerheads throughout your home, you’ve encountered what’s known as limescale. These calcium deposits are left behind as water evaporates on plumbing fixtures. Limescale builds up over time and eventually harms the integrity of faucets and showerheads, not to mention the toll it takes on the aesthetics of your home. It’s a good idea to scrub away these mineral deposits at least once a year or whenever they become readily noticeable. An old toothbrush and a mixture of water, baking soda, and water should do the trick. Just make sure not to scrub too hard that you end up damaging your fixtures.
Inspect your water softener and refill the salt supply
Limescale might not pose a significant threat on the outside of your home’s plumbing system, but it’s a different story when these mineral deposits build up on the inside of pipes. Calcium, magnesium, and other minerals can accumulate resulting in clogged pipes. Water softeners play a key role in preventing this problem by removing most of the minerals from hard water before it enters your home’s plumbing system. You should inspect your water softener every 1 to 2 months to see if salt levels need replenishing. Keeping up with the salt demands of your water softener can reduce the potential for limescale development within your plumbing system.
Remove debris from HVAC filters and replace if needed
HVAC units aren’t just responsible for keeping your home comfortable. These crucial systems are also tasked with removing pollutants from indoor air so you and your family can breathe fresh air. Contrary to popular belief, air pollutants are actually in higher concentration indoors when compared to the outside air. Fortunately, modern HVAC filters capture the majority of these potentially harmful contaminants as air is circulated through heating and cooling systems. To keep everything running smoothly, you’ll need to clean out your filters at least once a month and replace them at least every 90 days. The filter packaging might have different replacement instructions, but sticking to the three-month rule is a safe strategy.
Test and replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Every year, carbon monoxide poisoning claims 430 lives. On top of that, around 4,000 people die from house fires annually. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are life-saving sensors that can help alert Boston homeowners to potential hazards in time to prevent injury and death. However, these sensors have a limited lifespan. It’s crucial to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on a monthly basis. If either fails to function properly, you’ll need to replace their batteries immediately to keep your household safe. Detectors that don’t have swappable batteries will need to get replaced altogether. Always consult the instructions for the specific brand of smoke or carbon monoxide detector you’re using for optimum performance.
Schedule routine maintenance from experienced providers
There’s no shortage of DIY maintenance Boston homeowners can handle on their own to keep their systems up and running throughout the year. But, there are some critical servicings that are best left to the professionals. It’s recommendable to hire an expert to inspect and service your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems at least once a year, although every six months is ideal. These experts can identify small problems before they snowball into more expensive issues.
No matter what kind of home maintenance services you need, the experts at Boston Standard Plumbing have you covered. We can handle all your residential needs from plumbing and electrical to heating and cooling. Book a service today to get started.
