Kick things off with these 10 simple tasks to stay on top of home maintenance year-round, from your curb to the heart of your home.
The start of a new year is the perfect time to take action – not just for yourself, but for your home too!
This year, make it your resolution to embrace these home maintenance goals, inspired by the spirit of fresh starts and lasting improvements.
Interior Resolutions: Love Where You Live
1. Declutter & Organize
Clutter-free spaces create calmer minds, reduce cleaning time, and make your home feel more open and inviting. Decluttering also helps you take stock of what you truly need and use.
Begin with the "one in, one out" rule – for every new item you bring home, donate or recycle one you no longer need. Take on one room per week, focusing on closets, drawers, and forgotten corners. By spring, your entire home will feel refreshed and ready for guests.
Pro Tip: Create designated spaces for commonly misplaced items like keys, mail, and chargers to keep surfaces clear and organized.
2. Deep Clean Like a Pro
Quarterly deep cleans target spots often missed during regular cleaning, improving air quality and extending the life of carpets, upholstery, and surfaces.
Schedule specific cleaning days for tasks like shampooing carpets, dusting vents, and cleaning behind large furniture. Don’t forget to swap HVAC filters and sanitize high-touch areas like doorknobs and light switches.
3. Refresh With Paint
A fresh coat of paint can completely transform a room, making it feel cleaner and more updated. It's also one of the most cost-effective ways to redecorate.
Choose a room that feels drab or outdated. Experiment with trending palettes like calming earth tones or bold, moody shades like deep blues and greens. If you’re feeling adventurous, add an accent wall or repaint cabinets for a custom look.
4. Brighten Up Your Space
Good lighting enhances the ambiance and energy efficiency of your home. Upgrade old bulbs to energy-efficient LEDs, which last longer and use less power.
Add layered lighting with table lamps, pendant lights, or dimmers to create versatile spaces. For a cozy vibe, opt for warm-toned bulbs. Use mirrors to amplify natural light and make rooms feel larger.
5. Stay Up on Maintenance
Proactive maintenance catches small issues before they become costly repairs, extending the life of your home’s systems and finishes.
Schedule annual inspections for plumbing, electrical systems, and appliances. Check for squeaky floors, cracked tiles, and leaky faucets. Fix these issues promptly to avoid bigger headaches down the road.
Pro Tip: Use a maintenance calendar with monthly checklists to stay on track.
Exterior Resolutions: Curb Appeal Meets Functionality
1. Clean and Protect Your Home’s Exterior
A clean exterior improves curb appeal and prevents long-term damage from dirt, mold, and moisture.
Start with the gutters. Clear leaves and debris to ensure proper drainage, reducing the risk of foundation damage and sinking concrete. Follow with an annual pressure wash for driveways, sidewalks, decks, and patios to remove grime and mildew.
Clean the facade, windows, doors, and door trims to brighten the overall appearance of your home. Don’t forget to polish fixtures and hardware for an extra shine.
2. Inspect and Repair Problem Areas
Regular inspections can catch problems like loose shingles, drafty windows, or damaged siding before they worsen.
Walk around your home with a checklist, looking for issues like peeling paint, cracked caulking, or uneven concrete. Repair small cracks in concrete with flexible caulk and consider professional concrete leveling for sunken slabs.
Pro Tip: Address drainage issues first to prevent future settling and structural problems.
3. Reroute Drainage
Poor drainage can erode soil beneath concrete, causing sinking and cracking. It can also cause water to leak into basements.
Ensure gutters and downspouts direct water away from your home and concrete surfaces. If needed, install French drains or regrade landscaping to improve water flow. Add soil around concrete slabs and the foundation to create a slope that directs water away.
4. Seal and Maintain Surfaces
Sealing protects concrete, wood, and other outdoor surfaces from weather, stains, and wear, extending their lifespan.
Apply a protective sealant to driveways, patios, and walkways. For wood decks and fences, use a weatherproof sealant to prevent rot and fading.
Pro Tip: Thoroughly clean surfaces before sealing to ensure maximum absorption.
5. Stay on Top of Landscaping
Well-maintained landscaping enhances curb appeal and supports proper drainage. Regularly weed flower beds, trim overgrown bushes, and plant seasonal blooms for a fresh look.
Use mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds while giving beds a polished appearance. Incorporate native, low-maintenance plants to save water and support local ecosystems.
Setting Resolutions for a Happy Home
When your house thrives, so do you. By sticking to these resolutions, you’ll not only protect your property investment but also create a home that feels fresh and functional all year long.
Let 2025 be the year you and your home not only reach your goals, but do so in stride. Which resolution will you tackle first?
Whichever it is, you’re not in it alone. Request a free estimate with a member of the A-1 Concrete Leveling team near you for help with your concrete repair and maintenance resolutions!
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