Monthly Home Maintenance In Under One Hour

​From my experience working with machinery in all areas of my life, from home appliances to cars to boats, I have learned that preventive maintenance is key. Preventive maintenance programs promote optimum performance and safety, reduce unexpected outages, and minimize costly repairs and replacements. Here is a quick list of five home maintenance items you should be taking care of monthly.

1. Smoke Detectors – Working smoke detectors reduce the risk of death in home fires by 50%, per the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). While you may think that 10-year lithium batteries, or the fact that your detectors are hardwired into your home’s electrical system, may protect you for the long haul, you shouldn’t bet your life on it. According to the US Fire Administration (USFA), smoke detectors should be tested monthly regardless of how they are powered. Though you should check the manufacturer’s testing instructions, most systems can be tested by simply pressing and holding the test button on one smoke detector. If your detectors are set to alarm in series, which they should be, this should incite each alarm to begin sounding. Walk around the home to each alarm and listen to make sure it is working. If your detectors are not set to alarm in series, you will need to press the button on each detector to test them individually. If a 9-volt operated detector sounds weak or faint, change the battery. If a lithium battery powered or hardwired detector sounds weak or faint, the smoke detector itself must be replaced. When replacing individual detectors, make sure the new device will be compatible with the existing system. 9-volt batteries should be changed every six months regardless of test results. Battery backups for hardwired systems should be changed once a year.
2. GFCIs – Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) typically last several years. However, if they fail prematurely there will be no indication that it is no longer working. Testing is simple and only takes a few seconds per device. On the outlet plug, between the two receptacles you plug in to, there are two buttons, “test” and “reset”. To test the GFCI simply press the “test” button. You will hear a click which is the disconnection of power to the device indicating that the GFCI is functioning properly. Now press “reset” and move on to the next device to be tested. If you don’t hear a click, the GFCI should be replaced ASAP. Not sure where to start? All accessible outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and exteriors should be protected by a GFCI and have the test and reset buttons visible. If you have outlets in these locations that are not GFCI protected, I recommend contacting a licensed electrician to replace the receptacles. 
3. AC Filters – There are several factors that play into how often each household will need to change their AC filters. For us here in Gulf Coast area, the high heat and humidity is a killer and will generally require changing more often. Households with more family members, and those with pets, will need to change the filters more often than those without. Another key factor is the outdoor air quality around your home. Homes that are closer to a major highway system, construction zone, or other pollution source will need to change the filters more often than others. The best practice is to take a look at the filters every month. If there is a coating of dirt and grime on the surface and you can’t see the filter media, it’s time to replace. Irregular filter changes can result in higher than necessary energy bills and expensive AC repairs.
4. Range Hood Filters – Probably the most unpopular of the monthly tasks, it’s definitely worth the time and effort. If this is one you’ve been neglecting, the first time may be a doozy. There are several popular cleaning methods, which may differ based on the type of filter you have, so you may have to do a bit of research to find what works best for you. My personal no-scrub preference is to remove the filter, soak in hot water with an auto grade degreaser, and rinse. I do this first and let it soak while I complete the other monthly home maintenance tasks.
5. Fire Extinguishers – The NFPA reports that cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher in your home, you should buy one. Stat.  I recommend a class ABC type extinguisher. I purchased mine in the boating section at Walmart. Then a quick monthly check will help to ensure it works if you ever need to use it. First, make sure it is readily accessible (not behind a trash can or 20 bottles of cleaner under the sink). Next, make sure the gauge shows adequate pressure and that there are no visible signs of wear and tear.

Now that you have your list, you just need to select your monthly home maintenance day. I do mine on the first Sunday of each month and can normally get everything done in under an hour. That’s not much of a time commitment to maximize the efficiency of the systems that are designed to keep us safe and comfortable!