All the Home Maintenance Tasks You Should Tackle in January
Due to the weather in many parts of the US, home maintenance tasks in January are often limited to indoor spaces, as it is usually more difficult to complete outdoor projects such as painting. Additionally, since you’ll likely be spending more time indoors during the colder periods of winter, keeping the inside of your home safe and comfortable should be a priority.
Here are all the home maintenance tasks you should complete in January.
Check the ventilation openings in the room
In winter, kitchen and bathroom vents can be put to use, and holiday cooking and house guests will add to your regular usage. Remember to clean vents, check or replace filters, and make any necessary minor repairs—these are important steps to maintaining indoor air quality at healthy levels.
To service the deflectors, you can unscrew the housing cover and vacuum the slats. If you have a washable filter, you can remove it and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. If the air filter in the vent is disposable, it can be replaced. While the vent cover is open, inspect the internal parts for damage.
Check the tightness of the bathtub and sink
Once a year it is recommended to check the tightness of the bathtub and sink. If you notice that it is starting to peel or crack, it is recommended that you remove the old caulk with a putty knife and replace it. Using a tube of caulk and a five-in-one tool , seal the edges of the sink, bathtub, and between the bathtub and tiles to prevent water from getting on the walls, seeping into cracks, or causing invisible damage. You can also choose a caulk repair tool kit that includes removal tools as well as shaping tools.
Perform an annual Wi-Fi security update.
Given the convenience of using wireless Internet and connected devices, you might not think to update your device lists and passwords from time to time. Let January be your time to spend a few minutes checking your current list of connected devices, to ensure that old devices you don’t use aren’t accessing your home internet, and to make sure there are no unfamiliar devices. using your Wi-Fi. You should also take the time to update passwords for your home Internet and other connected devices to make your network more secure. While these steps may seem small, they can help you protect your personal data.
Clean your washing machine drain filters and dryer vents.
January is a great time to clear out debris from your dryer vents and washing machine drain filters. You may not even realize you have a washer drain filter until it becomes clogged and ends up in a new load of laundry. Washing machines that drain water into a sink or basin often have a mesh screen to prevent lint from clogging the drain. It can fill up with lint and stop draining, so taking a second to empty it can save you a lot of hassle. Some washing machines also have a screen built into the drain mechanism that can be removed and cleaned; You can find it on the back of the washing machine, near where the water drains through the hose.
The dryer vent should be checked and cleaned at least twice a year. This can be done by removing the connection from the dryer on the inside and the vent cover on the outside and using a vent cleaning brush to remove any accumulated lint from the inside. When you are finished cleaning, reattach the hose and vent cap.
Create a home maintenance calendar
January is the perfect time to create a home maintenance calendar if you don’t already have one. In the past, home maintenance calendars were mostly paper files, but you can also save them in digital format. Your calendar may include important maintenance dates, such as the next time your furnace filters need to be replaced, the next time you need to recharge your fire extinguishers, and the next scheduled chimney cleaning. Other items to include might be things like maintenance records and phone numbers for service technicians so you have all the information you need in one place in case you need repairs.
Keeping track of filters and important cleanings will help you plan maintenance ahead of time and remember when it’s time to do certain things.