New Years Resolutions for Better Air Quality

Protecting and maintaining your home is a great way to start the new year off right. Some maintenance tasks are DIY, while others may require a professional. Making home maintenance a New Year's Resolution will help you care for and maximize the health of your home for your family and guests.

Safety Checks

The start of a new year is the perfect time to perform some annual home safety checks, such as examining electrical cords and changing fire alarm batteries. Overloaded or frayed cords are potential fire hazards. Smoke, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide detectors require annual battery replacement. When replacing the batteries, testing the alarms and letting everyone in the house hear what they sound like can help in an emergency.

HVAC Maintenance

Scheduling HVAC maintenance is an essential part of an annual home maintenance plan. Regular maintenance helps your heating and cooling systems run more efficiently and potentially last longer before needing replacement. HVAC system maintenance typically includes:

• Air filter replacement.
• Wire checks.
• Condenser unit fan check.
• Condenser unit cleaning.
• Possibly a thermostat upgrade.

Don’t forget to also schedule air duct cleaning every few years. Air duct cleaning can improve your home's indoor air quality, giving you clean air and enhancing energy efficiency.

Washer & Dryer Maintenance

One area that homeowners often overlook is the dryer vent. Dryer vents quickly become clogged with lint build-up from daily loads of laundry. A build-up of lint can become a potential fire hazard. Every year, firefighters respond to about 3,700 fires caused by an accumulation of dryer lint. This build-up may also cause low-performance issues or damage to your dryer.

Gutters & Roof Checks

Gutters control rainwater flow on your house, protecting your roof, siding, and foundation. When gutters are clogged, water can accumulate on the roof, leading to roof leaks. Early detection of roof leaks can help prevent significant issues arising from water damage. Most roof damage begins undetected. Early detection is crucial to minimize the potential problems roof damage may cause. Since you are already up on a ladder checking the gutters, performing a roof check outside and inside is ideal. Signs of potential damage may include tree limbs touching the house, gutters separating from the house, water spots on the ceiling, or missing or damaged shingles.

Inspect for Leaks

An annual inspection of sink plumbing in bathrooms and kitchens or anywhere water enters or leaves your home is a good way to identify leaks or potential issues – although monthly checks are even better. If you find leaks or water damage, taking care of them immediately is vital. Leaks can lead to water damage or mold. 

Mold Check

Mold can be a sneaky, unwanted houseguest, often going undetected and potentially growing into a hazardous, major problem. Being on the lookout for mold in your home as part of your annual home maintenance plan can help you prevent problems and improve your air quality. 

Mold and mildew are part of our everyday lives, and small doses outside the house do not typically cause a problem. However, mold inside your home is always a problem. Indoor sources of mold often involve bathrooms and closets due to poor ventilation systems and humidity. When checking for mold, look for visible mold growth and musty smells. Outside of manageable shower mold, it is imperative to call a professional for mold removal if you find mold.

AdvantaClean

If you need help checking off your New Year home maintenance checklist, AdvantaClean is here to help! Our services include air duct cleaning, water damage restoration, and mold remediation. We're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergencies.