Home maintenance requires a lot of time. In that regard, although having a big house is a great thing, it becomes really annoying when the time comes to clean it. Luckily for you, there are ways to be more efficient.

When it comes to home maintenance in general, people are usually vexed when a big problem pops up. These bigger issues usually take a lot of time and money. The secret behind efficient maintenance is preventing such issues from appearing in the first place. In other words, by being proactive and fixing things as soon as they get damaged, you are able to save a lot of resources later on.

Here are the 5 main things you have to pay attention to.

  1. Various leaks

People usually ignore leaks. Commonly, homeowners think that the water is already going into the sink so there is not much danger of overflowing or water falling on tiles. Nevertheless, even a tinny leak can be cause for concern. To our eyes, this may appear as a minor water usage. But, the bill at the end of the month will prove otherwise. The issue becomes even worse if the lea is coming from hot water side. This means, not only are we wasting water, we are also wasting money needed to warm up that water. Make sure to fix any leak you might have in your home.

  1. Preparing your pool for winter

During summertime, we love taking a dip. Also, given that we are concerned about our health, we keep our pool clean. But, as soon as season is over, we completely forget about it. This is wrong. Pool will still remain there for the next year and we need to do everything in our power to properly protect it. In fact, protecting your pool prior to winter is as important as cleaning it during the summer. Make sure to drain all the water from things such as the pump. Regulate chemicals and lower the level of water. Remove all the additional equipment and finally, put a cover on top of it.

  1. Fixing the roof

There are a few things that need to be taken care off when it comes to your roof. First of all, shingles get damaged all the time. During summer, you have to take a day for checking all the shingles. Look for signs of damage or discoloration. Those ones should be replaced. If you have a chimney, make sure it is still in a good condition. Lastly, you will have to clean your gutters from time to time. This will be important during winter and autumn as it allows water to flow as designated.

  1. Check your garage doors

Similarly to other things on this list, there are a few possible issues with your garage doors. They might be off-balance or there can be some issue with springs. When it comes to regular maintenance, make sure to lubricate the springs. Sooner than later, they will get worn down but at least this way, you can protect them for a longer period of time.

  1. Isolation issues

Poor isolation can result in high heating bills. As the winter approaches, you will have to make sure that there is no draft in your home. Windows and area around them are the main culprits. Check the window frames (they might be rotten) as well the concrete around them. Fill any holes that might have appeared.

With these cool tips, you will be ready for the upcoming winter. Always remember; a couple minutes today can save you a couple of hours in future.

Nick Stoyanov is a copywriter and content strategist at forpumps.com.au – Australia’s largest online pump store. 4 Pumps is an Australian company that focuses on the national distribution of its comprehensive range of quality pumping products.