When you rent, you call a landlord when something breaks or stops working. But when you own your home, you become responsible for all of its upkeep. Regular maintenance helps things run more smoothly for much longer. Here are some home maintenance myths you need to know about when you purchase your new house at the Jersey Shore.
Home Maintenance Myths Busted
Shorter Grass Means Less Work
Mowing grass may not be at the top of your “most fun household chores” to perform. But you do need to mow it. While you may be tempted to cut it super short in order to stave off another week of mowing in the warmer months, cut it too short and you might actually cause more harm than good. New Jersey lawns tend to utilize Kentucky Bluegrass, fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass. To keep moisture levels optimum, cut your grass no lower than 3″ to 3 1/2″. Otherwise, you run the risk of drying out the grass and creating a breeding ground for weeds and disease.
Turn Off the Thermostat When You Leave
Another home maintenance myth you may have heard is that you save money by turning your thermostat off while you are out of the house. Not true. Even if you own a vacation property, you should never turn your thermostat completely off when you leave for an extended period of time. With vacation/second homes, you might want to turn the thermostat down to 55F while away in the wintertime. This helps keep interior pipes from freezing. For those who work outside of the home, simply turning it down 5 or 10 degrees in the winter and up 5 or 10 degrees in the summer actually saves you money by regulating the temperature inside your home. Plus, it means less time bringing the temperature up (or down) to a more comfortable level when you return home. Also, it helps keep your heating and air conditioning systems from overworking themselves and diminishing their life span.
Gutters Only Need to be Cleaned in the Fall
Another home maintenance myth busted! Actually, gutters should be cleaned at the beginning of summer and then again in the fall at the very least. However, experts recommend that you inspect your gutters after heavy rainfall as well. Keeping them clear of debris prevents water from backing up and creating damage to your roof or walls.
More Insulation is Better
Yes. Insulation helps keep warm air in and cold air out in the winter. However, adding too much insulation may actually prove less effective. Also, over insulating your attic may lead to condensation which, in turn, may lead to mold. Contact a professional to ensure the correct insulation is properly installed in your attic.
If the Smoke Detector Beeps When I Test It, It Means It’s Working
False. The button only lets you know how it sounds. To make sure it actually works right, light a match and then blow it out right below the detector. If the alarm goes off, it works. If it doesn’t, it isn’t working. That could just mean that you need new batteries. You need to replace those twice a year. Many people like changing the batteries when they need to change their clocks when daylight savings time begins and ends. If it still does not go off with the match test after you change your batteries, you may need to replace the entire smoke detector unit.
After Water Leaks, the Carpet is Fine as Long as It’s Dry to the Touch
Again, wrong. If water stands for even a few hours, it can soak down into your subflooring and create mold. When your carpet gets flooded from a water leak, first remove as much water as possible with a shop vac. Then, use absorbent towels to blot up any remaining water. After that, use industrial fans to air dry the area. Make sure you keep people from walking on the area while this takes place. Check the area every few hours so you can reposition the fans when necessary. Finally, pull up the carpeting to make sure that the padding is also dry. If not, you will need to replace it. Otherwise, it may create mold and damage to your subfloor.
Furnace Filters Only Need Replacing Once a Year
This home maintenance myth is definitely wrong. Pet dander, allergies, the number of people living in the home, and heavier usage affect how much particulate circulates through the filters. That may mean changing it every three months (at the very least) or even once a month. This alleviates the stress put on your heating and cooling systems. Also, the thickness of the filter makes a difference in how often you need to change it. Less often for thicker filters, more often for thinner ones. A good rule of thumb is to change it when you can no longer see any light shine through it.
I Don’t Need to Clean the Exhaust Fans in My Bathrooms
Unfortunately, these fans also need to be maintained. Dust, mold, and mildew quickly build up, covering your motor and lessening its effectiveness. As long as you vacuum it every six to 12 months, you should be fine.
Dishwashers, Garbage Disposals, and Washing Machines Are Self-Cleaning
No. They are not. Dishwashers and washing machines should be cleaned at least once a month. Schedule a garbage disposal cleaning every two weeks. Pour two cups of distilled white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe bowl or cup. Place the bowl or cup in the top rack. Then, run a complete cycle with hot water. After that, take a cup of baking soda and sprinkle it along the bottom of the dishwasher to deodorize it. Then, run a half-cycle using the hot water setting. For the washing machine, pour one cup of distilled white vinegar into the basin. Run a complete cycle using hot water to fight against salmonella and other bacteria. For the disposal, cut up a lemon into wedges. Add a tablespoon of salt and some ice cubes. Then, run the disposal. That’s it!
Sherri Lilienfeld, Apex Prime Realty, Your Source for Jersey Shore Real Estate