When you are a first-time homeowner, learning about your property can feel overwhelming. There are a number of systems in your home that require routine maintenance. Knowing when to have the system serviced will help keep your home running smoothly. From the plumbing in your home to the heating and cooling, understand that each system may need routine maintenance from time to time.

The following are the important systems in your Washington or Colorado home that warrant regular inspection and maintenance.

Heating And Cooling System

To maintain comfortable air temperatures in your home, it’s important to keep your heating and cooling system up-to-date. If you have a whole-home system, it should be serviced once before the heating season and once before the cooling season. When you get filters changed, and your system serviced, you are less likely to have to deal with emergency repairs. In addition, your HVAC system will run more efficiently.

• Poor air quality in your home. If you notice that the quality of air circulating in your home is sub-par, there may be an issue. Also, pay attention if the air is not being cooled by the A/C in the summer or not being warmed by the furnace in the winter. These are also red flags.
• Condensation and puddles. Your HVAC has a few tasks, and balancing humidity in the home is one of them. You should never see puddles or condensation on the system’s components if it’s working well. There could be leaks somewhere along the line, particularly at the pipes and coils.
• Weird smells. You might smell sulfur if there is a natural gas leak, which warrants immediate attention because this is a real hazard. You might also smell burning, which could be a sign of an electrical issue if this is not the first time you’re turning the furnace on in the winter.
• Loud noises. Any banging, screeching, whining, or clunking are likely a sign your HVAC system is faltering. Causes may include a loose screw, broken belt, or debris lodged in the external unit.
• Uneven temperature. Any hot or cold spots in parts of your home could be a sign of a problem, as the HVAC system should be cooling or heating the air in your home evenly throughout.

By making the necessary repairs or regularly maintaining your HVAC system, you can prolong its lifespan, saving a lot of money and hassle.

Septic System

If you are not on a municipal sewer system, then you’ll likely need to be on a septic system. Your Idaho or Oregon home‘s septic system serves as an underground wastewater treatment structure that is designed to catch all wastewater from your home, separate solids from the wastewater, reduce and break down accumulated solids, and pass the clarified wastewater out to a drain field.

As you can see, a septic system is very important, and therefore should be regularly maintained in order to make sure it works properly at all times. Wastewater leaves your home either through the town sewer system or through a septic tank. If you have a septic system on your property, you need to have the system serviced every other year. Check the records of your septic system to see when it was serviced previously.

Address Plumbing Issues

A leaky faucet is a localized problem while discovering that all of the drains in your home are draining slowly is systemic. You need to repair small leaks to avoid wasting water in your home, while systemic problems must be addressed by a professional. You don’t want to get your next water bill only to see it triple in cost simply because water is leaking somewhere in your home. If your drains aren’t working correctly, you may have a block in your main sewer line.

There could be other more pressing problems, such as a burst pipe, which can cause flooding in your home in Portland, Boise, or Seattle. Not only that, but any standing water can cause major damage to your flooring, walls, and other components of your home, even after only a few minutes. As such, addressing burst pipes and other major plumbing issues like these is crucial. Know where the main shut off valve is for the water coming into your home in case of an emergency.

Electrical Needs In Your Home

Your home has an intricate electrical system that is controlled by an electrical panel usually located in your basement. When a circuit trips, you will need to reset the circuit breaker. If your home consistently has problems with a specific circuit, you’ll want to have the circuit checked by an electrician to see if it is overloaded.

While some electrical issues may be minor in nature, others can be more significant. Certain issues with electrical wiring or overloaded panels can cause an electrical fire, which can put you and your family in harm’s way. Be sure that your electricals are in good standing, and if not, a professional should be called in.

It’s exciting to own a home for the first time. Once you understand the various systems in your home, it becomes easier to take care of your property. With good maintenance, you can help avoid emergency repairs to your home. Your heating and cooling will be more efficient, and you won’t run into problems with your septic system if you have one. If there is something you don’t understand in your home in Bellevue, Denver, or Seattle, call a professional to get the problem looked at.

Need a Mortgage to Buy a Home?

If you need a home loan to finance a home purchase, Sammamish Mortgage is here to help. We are a mortgage company serving the Pacific Northwest region including Washington, Idaho, Colorado, and Oregon. We have been providing mortgage programs with flexible qualification criteria to borrowers since 1992. Please contact us if you have any questions or are ready to apply for a home loan.