Your property investment gets a year older as the calendar turns, and the best birthday celebration for your home is to give it some TLC in the form of annual maintenance. Not only will this ensure a smooth year free of nasty surprises (like dryer lint fires or rusty garage springs), but it will also protect your home's value with each passing month. A regularly maintained home will give you a lovely, comfortable place to live today and save you headaches in the future.

What’s Necessary for Yearly Upkeep and Home Repair in Durham NC

Some home repairs in Durham are easy DIYs that you can tackle in an afternoon; others should only be performed by professionals. Take a look at our annual maintenance project list, then make a plan to keep your house in tip-top shape!

• Clean the septic tank. Empty your septic tank annually, and don’t listen to the advice that you only need it done once every few years. If you’re collecting sewage in your tank, have it inspected and cleaned religiously.

• Check water pressure. If your water pressure is too high, you need an intervention before the pressure begins to degrade the plumbing. If it’s too low, contact your utility, and they will come to make the appropriate adjustment.

• Drain the water heater. Built-up sediment in your heater will shorten its lifespan and cause it to become less effective.

• Clean your dryer lint exhaust. Not only will lint buildup in the dryer vent make your dryer less effective, causing longer drying times and high electricity bills, but lint buildup in the dryer is a significant fire hazard.

• Check for bugs. Termites are pernicious and tenacious. Undiscovered termites can cause huge issues in a home, leading to compounding expenses. When they’re caught early, extermination is simple. Have a thorough inspection done annually.

• Lubricate garage door springs. You may not think a garage door needs maintenance, but when it suddenly doesn’t open, you’ll wish you’d paid more attention to upkeep! Grease the springs to ensure you’re never stuck with the door open on your way out of town or stuck closed on your way to work.

• Inspect fixture supply valves and lines. When it comes to home repairs in Durham, NC, this is one that you don’t want to deal with once it’s too late. Check that your valves and lines for toilets, faucets, clothes washers, and dishwashers are in good condition and can easily be accessed and turned on and off.

• Check your fire extinguisher. Most fire extinguishers have a 10-year shelf life, but extinguishers in the kitchen and other locations with high traffic may need more frequent replacement. Read the gauge to see that the pressure is appropriate, inspect the hose for dry rot, and confirm that the device hasn’t reached its expiry date.

• Touch up exterior paint and interior caulk. Exterior paint and interior caulk maintenance are home repairs in Durham, NC, that are much cheaper and easier to do annually rather than once every five to ten years. A small amount of upkeep goes a long way to keeping your house looking good and your plumbed fixtures leakproof.

Home Repair in Durham, NC: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

Compiling a monthly, seasonal, and annual home maintenance calendar is the best way to ensure that your home works well, ages gracefully, and continues to increase in value. When it’s time for your annual home repairs in Durham, NC, contact the professionals at ProTouch Contracting for the best quality home repairs in the Triangle.