Your home is one of the most important investments you’ll ever make. Making the move from renter to homeowner comes with a few provisos, however. Maintenance and upkeep is now your responsibility. This is a worthwhile sacrifice when you think about how it improves the value, appearance, and comfort of your property in the short- and long-term.

With that in mind, here are a few essential DIY tasks to do around your house for the ultimate in home maintenance.

Cleaning Roof Gutters and Downspouts

Cleaning Roof Gutters and Downspouts
Investing in a retractable extension ladder if you have adequate storage is a good idea. This is a handy piece of equipment to have around for many of the DIY home maintenance tasks that occur every year. Always practice ladder safety and have a spotter around when you use it.

Cleaning out the leaves and debris that collects in the roof gutters and downspouts should be a regular part of your annual spring cleaning regimen. Even if you have no overhanging trees, stuff can still be blown in there from neighboring foliage. If you have a green initiative going in your home, you may already own a grey water collection tank for water recycling. These will also need to be checked for debris collection at the base.

Surface Cleaning and Sealing

Both your interior and exterior surfaces should get an annual clean and seal. Anything made of concrete, stone, or wood must be cleaned with an appropriate liquid material and sealed against the extreme weather conditions to come. This is a special project that you can do a little every weekend until the entire property inside and out has been treated.

Don’t forget to concentrate on your countertops in the kitchen and the tiles in your bathrooms as well. If you would like more information about the best sealants and cleaners to use, you can find everything you need to know at Seal With Ease.

Drains

Drains
Your drains both inside and outside the house will benefit from an annual de-clogging. While you are going about the task, don’t forget to unscrew the shower drain catchers and get down below to check on all the stuff that has gotten past the catcher. The overflow areas should also be tested for silt build-up. These are prime areas for insect breeding as they love cold, dark, damp places.

If you have small children or pets, it will be best to keep them away from the areas where you are de-clogging the drains. You can do this in your outside drains by covering them with a heavy piece of solid material, such as a metal wire sheet, and weighing it down with rocks. If you are doing the drains inside your home, close and lock the doors until you have been able to flush away the last of the chemicals and rinse with lukewarm water.

Looking after your home with easy DIY projects is one of the most rewarding home maintenance tasks.