When you buy your first home, it's thrilling to make plans for furnishing it and hosting your first guests. What's not as thrilling is finding out you don't know what all to do to properly maintain your new home. Since homes don't exactly come with an instruction guide, many new homeowners don't know how to maintain their home until something has broken or malfunctioned, which could lead to costly repairs. In today's Aegis blog post, we discuss some importance maintenance tips for new homeowners to help prevent costly repairs or replacements down the road.

Air Conditioner Maintenance

One of the most important components of any home, particularly in Texas, is an air conditioner. Because their repair or replacement is such a large cost, it's essential to have them inspected and maintained on a regular basis, either on your own or by an air conditioning specialist.

For example, air conditioning units up in attics should be checked on a regular basis to ensure A/C drip pans are dry and not full of water, which could indicate a blockage in the overflow drainage pipes due to mold buildup. This could lead to water damage in ceilings, insulation, and walls. Also the outside A/C areas should also be cleared regularly of leaves, grass clippings, dirt, and debris to ensure it stays in good working order.

Foundation and Lawn Maintenance

Another important area of home maintenance involves the outside of the property, specifically the lawn and foundation area. In Texas, our blistering summers can make lawns quickly dry out and lead to burnt grass, dry soil, and dying trees and plants. Investing in a sprinkler system can be a great way to protect the health and appearance of a lawn, and also help keep the foundation well moisturized. When the soil surrounding a home foundation becomes too dry, it can lead to slab cracks in the foundation or other costly repairs.

Appliance and Plumbing Maintenance

Finally, home maintenance should also include checking appliances, plumbing, and other fixtures on a regular basis to ensure they are functional. By checking these on a monthly or quarterly basis, homeowners can catch issues such as small leaks, cracks, and lower functionality. When these issues are found early, it can be the difference between minor repairs versus complete replacement, water damage, or other costly problems.

Homeownership is an important milestone for individuals and families, but regular maintenance is essential to make the investment last for decades. Aegis Insurance & Financial Services can also help homeowners protect their family home or vacation home through quality Homeowners Insurance coverage, as well as other Personal Insurance policies. Contact our Aegis office at 713-850-7622 for more information or fill out our online form to request a free quote regarding Personal Insurance coverage.