2021 is right around the corner, and our home comfort experts at Meyer’s think you’ll agree that after the year we’ve had, it can’t come soon enough. With the many complications that have arisen due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we could all use some improvements to make our lives easier. That’s why our professionals at Meyer’s are here with the top home maintenance resolutions to make in the new year. Read on for the tips you need, and remember that our HVAC, plumbing, and electrical pros at Meyer’s are always here to make sure your house stays safe and comfortable.
Top Home Maintenance Resolutions for 2021
- Change Air Filters Regularly: You can avoid a ton of problems with both your air conditioning and heating units by simply changing the filters regularly. When air filters become clogged by dust and debris, not only will your indoor air quality suffer, your system will have to work harder to heat/cool your home. The end result is less comfort for greater utility costs. By simply checking your filters regularly and replacing/cleaning them at the beginning of each season, you will be able to enjoy a cleaner, more comfortable environment for less money.
- Prevent Clogs By Watching What You Put Down Your Drains: The best way to prevent drain clogs is always to make sure they don’t happen in the first place. In the bathroom, this means using drain catchers to prevent hair and soap scum from forming blockages in your sink and shower drains. You should also avoid flushing anything but waste and toilet paper down the toilet—this means no paper towels, no cotton balls, no pads or tampons, and no so-called “flushable” wipes. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, it is essential to watch what you are putting in your garbage disposal. Keep starches, stringy foods, rinds, skins, peels, seeds and nuts, coffee grounds, eggshells, bones of any kind, as well as all grease, fats, and oils out of your kitchen sink. Basically, if it’s anything more than light food waste, it should go in the trash can.
- Stop Overloading Outlets: If there’s one thing all homeowners can do to improve the performance and safety of their electrical equipment, it’s to stop overloading their outlets. Even if you are using surge protectors and have a modern home that can support a lot of electrical devices at once, you should not be stacking power strip upon power strip. Overuse of electronics may cause your electrical panel to short circuit, and can even lead to sparking and electrical fires. Our pros at Meyer’s can install new outlets and fixtures to help distribute power throughout your home in a safer way, and you can install a generator for protection, so you are even covered in case you system does accidentally get overloaded. But in the meantime, if your lights are flickering or you’ve experienced multiple blackouts recently, consider giving your electric bill a break, and unplug those devices you are not using.
- Be Careful with DIY: While there are plenty of home maintenance tasks you can attempt on your own, it’s also important to be safe and responsible when attempting to make upgrades and fix problems around your house. For instance, if you are looking for a DIY drain cleaning solution, try using baking soda and vinegar, rather than the store-bought liquid drain cleaners that often eat away at your pipes. Lower your thermostat during the winter and raise it during the summer to help balance out your HVAC costs, but do not rely on devices like fans and space heaters to the detriment of your household’s well-being. And when it comes to your electrical system, have someone spot you and wear thick gloves while you are replacing fixtures and lightbulbs. And for everything else…
- Never Hesitate to Call a Professional: From installing a new HVAC system to fixing leaky pipes to rewiring parts of your house, some home maintenance tasks simply require a professional. At Meyer’s, our experts are available 24/7, so you never have to hesitate to contact us when you need assistance most. Give our experienced heating/cooling techs, plumbers, and electricians a call anytime, and from the Meyer’s family to yours, have a very happy new year.
Meyer’s is available by phone at (219) 240-0610, or you can contact us online.
