Regular home maintenance costs are averaged at about $1 per livable square foot of space in your home. So, if you live in a 1,200 square foot home, you should plan to spend roughly $1,200 per year on maintenance costs. However, when you don’t properly maintain things around your home, you could find that the costs double or triple. Here are some things you should always keep in good working order to help keep your maintenance costs in check.
1. Water Heater
When you don’t properly maintain your water heater, you’ll find that it eventually gets to the point where you turn on the faucet, and nothing comes out. Natural minerals in the water fall to the bottom of the tank and build up over time. When left to sit, those minerals continue to build up until they completely block the water flow.
To prevent the buildup, you should drain and flush your tank every six months. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, contact a water heater service San Ramon CA to do it for you.
2. Dishwasher
If you’ve noticed that your dishes aren’t as clean as they should be, it’s likely because you haven’t been maintaining the dishwasher. Every dishwasher has a filter in the bottom of it that can easily get blocked if you aren’t pre-rinsing your dishes off well enough. The filter should be removed and cleaned off every few months to help the water drain from your machine and avoid any clogs.
It’s also helpful to remove any hard water buildup on your machine and sprayers. Every month, run an empty load with some vinegar splashed into the machine, and it will help make your dishwasher work beautifully.
3. Washing Machine
It might seem odd, but your washing machine can start to smell when it isn’t cleaned regularly. Mold and mildew can build up in the machine and might make your clothes smell bad, too. Every month, use a special cleaner from the store, or splash in some vinegar in an empty load and let it run.