black and gray metal pipe
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If you're a first-time homeowner, chances are you've never had to stay on top of home maintenance in your previous house since landlords usually handle that kind of stuff. Now you've purchased your own home, it's time to understand your maintenance responsibilities. Overlooking seemingly small issues that come up can cost you thousands of dollars in the long run.

1. Check Your Filters

One of the first things to do when moving into a new home is to check the HVAC and furnace filters. If your filters are clogged, your system will need to work harder to pull air in, driving up your heating and cooling bills. According to Carrollton home repair services, ''Appliances like HVAC units can take a beating, but consistent inspection and upkeep is essential to keeping home systems and appliances in tip-top shape.''

So, try to check your filter at least once every month and change them if you notice they're dirty. Checking HVAC and furnace filters doesn't require much. All you need to do is turn off your system, pull out your filter, and check for dirt or grime. If that's the case, remove the dirty filter and replace it with a new one.

Even if your old filter looks clean, check if it fits properly into the holder because small spaces can allow air to circulate around the filter instead of going through it. You might need to get a replacement that fits properly. And if your filter was installed upside down, you'll need to correct it. Most air filters have the correct airflow direction indicated by arrows on the frames. Ensure that the arrows point in the direction of the fan.

2. Check for Signs of Water Damage

Water damage refers to physical changes that take place on a property due to exposure to water. It can stem from burst pipes, a leaking roof, or leaky plumbing. It can even occur as a result of natural disasters such as torrential rainfalls or floods. Not all water damage is visible at first glance. That's why they could go unnoticed for weeks or months, creating long-lasting defects that may be hard and expensive to correct.

To prevent damage to your new home, examine your house for signs of water damage periodically. Some of the areas to inspect for potential hidden water damage in your home are your walls, floors, and ceilings. You can grab a flashlight and get into your crawl space to take a close look.

Pay attention to corners and edges and look for color changes. Also, check your plumbing for signs of corrosion or leak. If you observe small puddles around your toilet or under the sink, it could be a sign of a crack in your pipe. Consider checking your floorboards or tiles because even the slightest bulge could indicate serious water build-up.

3. Flush Your Water Heater

Water heaters typically last up to 10 years or more. However, their lifespans can be cut short if they are not properly maintained. Minerals can solidify on the sides and bottom of your water heater, causing sediment build-up. This can make your heater work harder since it needs to heat through the sediment layer, which could act as an insulator. That's why It is advisable to flush your water heater at least once yearly to get rid of sediment build-up.

Sediment can move around in your water tank, creating unusual noises. So, you can tell there's sediment build-up in your water heater when there's a rumbling or popping sound coming from the tank. Furthermore, a drop in water temperature or pressure can indicate sediment build-up since the particles can prevent water from getting as hot as it usually gets.

Before flushing your heater, it's crucial to figure out how to turn off the gas or electrical connection to it. You can check the owner's manual that came with your heater for this information or look up the manual online. Afterward, connect the drain valve to a hose and place the other end of the hose in a storm drain or large bucket. Open the drain valve and allow water to flow out. Ensure you open the pressure and temperature relief valve while this is ongoing. After a few minutes, collect the water in a bucket for inspection. If there are sediment crystals at the bottom of the bucket, keep letting the water drain through. You can close your drain valve when you stop seeing the crystals to allow your tank to refill.