Keeping Your Home Safe
Home ownership is, alas, a lot harder than it looks. You know how to clean the floors and remove the cobwebs, but what about the most difficult and unfortunately more forgettable things? Here’s a list of 17 household tasks that people unfortunately overlook – and then they run into trouble later on.
Cleaning Outdoor Lights
Outdoor fixtures collect dirt, spiderwebs, and (eww) dead bugs, dimming the light and making the whole place look dingy. A quick wipe-down and bulb check once or twice a year makes a huge difference in curb appeal and safety.
Testing Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Most people install detectors and forget about them until the low-battery alarm starts to beep at an inconvenient time. But your detectors are hands down some of the most important things in the house, and they need to be tested every month.
Blowing Out Soffit Vents
Soffit vents keep your attic ventilated, but they love to collect things, including dangerous wasp nests in some cases. If air can’t circulate, your attic overheats, and your roof and insulation suffer. A quick blast with a leaf blower or shop vac clears them right up.
Checking for High Water Pressure
Too much water pressure feels great in the shower, but it’s bad news for your plumbing. Over time, it stresses pipes until something bursts or leaks. A simple $10 gauge from the hardware store tells you where you stand. If it’s above 80 psi, you’ll want a pressure regulator.
Inspecting the Automatic Garage Door Safety Shutoff
Your garage door should stop and reverse if something’s in its path, but sensors get dirty or misaligned. Test it every few months with a cardboard box. If it doesn’t reverse, it’s time for a quick adjustment. Better safe than sorry, because someone could get hurt.
Cleaning Inside the Dryer and Dryer Vent
Lint doesn’t just collect in the trap - it sneaks into the dryer and vent too. If you don’t clear it out, you’re not only risking efficiency but also a serious fire hazard. A quick vacuum and vent brush once or twice a year keeps your home and family safer.
Checking the HVAC Condensate Line
Your AC pulls humidity out of the air, and that water drains through the condensate line. But then it can clog with algae or debris. A quick flush with vinegar a couple times a year keeps it clear and prevents leaks or water damage.
Cleaning Faucet Aerators
If your faucets start sputtering or spraying weird, the aerator’s probably clogged with minerals. Unscrew the little cap at the tip, give it a soak in vinegar, and scrub out the grit. You’ll be amazed how much better the water flows.
Sealing Outlets and Ceiling Boxes
Outlets and ceiling boxes are sneaky air leaks that let drafts creep in and drive up energy bills. Foam gaskets or sealant are cheap and easy fixes that make your home more comfortable. If you’re not sure, ask at your local home improvement store.
Cleaning the Bathroom Fan
Your bathroom fan works hard, but it unsurprisingly also pulls in a lot of dust and gunk over time. A clogged fan can’t clear out humidity, which leads to mold and mildew creeping in. Just pop off the cover, vacuum or wash it, and give the blades a wipe. It takes mere minutes.
Cleaning Weep Holes
Ever wonder what those little holes at the bottom of your windows are for? Well, they let water drain out. Problem is, they soon clog with dirt and bugs. If they’re blocked, water backs up into your walls. A quick poke with a toothpick or blast of compressed air keeps them open.
Lubricating Garage Doors
Garage doors have a lot of moving parts, and without a little lube, they wear out faster. Spraying hinges, rollers, and tracks with a silicone-based lubricant once or twice a year keeps everything moving smoothly.
Replacing Furnace Filters
Clogged filters choke your system, making your furnace or AC work overtime. That means higher bills and less comfort. Most filters need swapping every 1–3 months, depending on pets, allergies, and dust. It’s one of those easy tasks people forget, so set a reminder on your phone.
Monitoring Your Water Heater
So many people forget their water heater is even there, and they pay the price later. Checking the temperature setting, flushing out sediment, and keeping an eye out for leaks can save you from cold showers or a flooded basement. Do a quick check a couple times a year.
Draining Outdoor Faucets Before Winter
It’s easy to forget those outside spigots once summer ends, but leaving them full of water in freezing temps is asking for a burst pipe. Before the first frost, shut off the supply, open the faucet, and let it drain. A five-minute chore can save you so much stress and money.
Checking Garage Door Springs
Those big springs above your garage door carry a lot of tension - and when they wear out, they can snap dramatically. That’s bad. While you shouldn’t mess with them yourself, you can do a quick visual check for rust or gaps.
