You may think that because your home is new, that you don’t have to worry about any maintenance issues. While innovative building techniques and state-of-the-art materials help to minimize the maintenance requirements of new homes, there are definitely proactive steps you should take to prevent premature deterioration and keep your home in the best possible condition.
Here are a few new home maintenance tips for you to consider within the first 12 months of home ownership.
- Air Filters: Be sure to check all filters in the home on a regular basis. Dust generated during the construction process will often end up trapped in the filters, causing energy and performance inefficiencies, a well as reduced air quality.
- Seals and Caulk: Inspect caulk for gaps or cracks. Even a small breach in the caulking seal can create water intrusion problems. If you see deterioration, remove and re-caulk the failed areas using a high-quality caulk.
- Roofing Materials: Between the severe thunderstorms, the blazing sun and the strong winds, your roof takes a beating while keeping you protected. It is a good habit to get into to check the roof after any major storm. Look for missing or damaged tiles, as the exposed area leaves you vulnerable for water damage.
- Gutters & Downspouts: Longboat Key (as with all Sarasota area communities) receives significant rainfall over the course of the summer and fall months. Gutters and downspouts play an important role in keeping the water moving off the roof and away from the home. If gutters become clogged with debris, you could see water pooling or backing up. When water collects, there is an increased chance of a leak forming eventually. If a downspout is dislodged in a storm, it may not direct water away from the foundation of the home as intended.
- Sprinkler Systems: Check to make sure that your newly installed sprinkler heads are spraying water in the right direction. If mistakenly pointed at the home, it could repeatedly soak your foundation and cause premature damage to the exterior of your home.
- Test GFIs: By detecting dangerous current flow and instantly shutting off power, ground fault circuit interrupters are critical to your safety. Check to make sure they are working properly and that all electrical circuits are working as expected.
Do I Need to Inspect a New Home? Some new home buyers think that because the home is brand new, a pre-closing inspection is not necessary. Every reputable home builder will provide you with an opportunity to walk-through the property with a project manager prior to purchase, and every buyer should take full advantage of the opportunity to go through this punch list.
This is the perfect opportunity for you to ask questions, express concerns, or head off any misunderstandings.
It is also a good habit to carefully inspect your new home periodically and to keep an eye out for any signs of malfunction or premature wear. Many aspects of a new home, from roofing materials to appliances and flooring, are covered by warranty.
Therefore, you do not have to accept that a particular element of your home is not working properly within the first year of homeownership. Be sure to ask your new home builder about any warranties they offer and pay attention to the length of each warranty.
Do a thorough inspection of that element before the warranty expires, and ask any necessary questions before your coverage lapses.
At Lindahl Construction, we are proud to build quality new homes in Longboat Key and throughout the Sarasota area.