ALLBIDS Blog

Home Maintenance Checklist: Things You Should Do Biannually

Friday, 31 August 2018 | Mike Leano

As you may have guessed by now, we're doing a series of home maintenance checklists that cover all tasks you need to do throughout the year. Last time, we covered the quarterly errands.

Why are these lists important? Because carrying out the tasks regularly will reduce home expenses, make upkeep easier, and keep your household running smoothly.

In this instalment, we've put together a list of household tasks that you should do biannually.

Take note that this list isn't clear-cut; not all tasks here need to be done every six months. If you can do it more frequently, go right ahead - as long as it works with your schedule.

Time for a house-wide thorough cleaning

Take the time to give your entire house a thorough cleaning. Because doing it once a year isn't enough. When we say thorough, we mean painstakingly wiping, vacuuming and washing/scrubbing (if appropriate) all the corners of your home, including:

The kitchen

• Cooktop
• Cupboards
• Dishwasher
• Refrigerator
• Oven
• Benchtop appliances (e.g. toaster, microwave, coffeemaker)
• Splashback
• Pantry

The bathroom

• Bathroom cabinets and shelves
• Shower
• Sinks
• Tub
• Toilet

The living room

• Rugs and carpets
• Air conditioning filters
• Television and remote
• DVD and/or Blu-ray player
• Gaming consoles
• Speakers

The bedroom

• Bedroom furniture
• Manchester and electric blankets
• Mattress (don't forget to rotate it)
• Cabinets and shelves
• Computer/s (e.g. desktops, laptops)

Around the house

• Ceilings, walls, window sills, door frames and skirting boards
• Lighting and fixtures
• Windows and doors (on both sides)

Don't forget to declutter before deep-cleaning. It's the best time to get rid of items you no longer use and organise the stuff you're keeping. Consider giving items away to charity.

Some general tips

• When you clean, start from the ceiling and work your way downwards. That way, you make sure that the grime won't return to surfaces you've already cleaned.
• Schedule your house-wide deep cleaning so that you won't put it off.
• See to it that you stock up on all the cleaning materials you need.
  
  

Have your fire extinguisher inspected

Your home's fire extinguisher is your family's first line of defence should a fire occur. According to the Australian Standard AS 1851 guidelines, fire extinguishers need to be inspected and tested at half-yearly intervals by persons accredited by Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA).

For this, you'll have to contact a qualified professional. The FPAA website has a search feature for finding recognised businesses who provide this service.

Examine your water heater TPR valve

In our previous checklist (see what you should do quarterly), we discussed about checking the condition of your home's water heater and looking for any leaks.

Here, you'll also have to see how its temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve is doing. The TPR valve opens to release pressure build-up in the device when it gets really hot. If you inspect the valve every six months, you'll be able to:

1. See if there's build-up of rust and minerals, so that you can clean or replace the TPR valve if necessary.
2. Ensure that the water heater runs efficiently.
   
   

Look at the plumbing for leaks

Inspect your home's faucets and toilets and keep an eye out for drips - they're easy to find. If the water pressure from a faucet is pretty weak, have a look at the tap aerator screwed on the faucet head. Particles might be blocking the tiny holes in the aerator.

If you encounter a leak at the tap even when it's switched off, simply remove the spout and spindle, see if the washers are worn out, then replace if necessary.

Note:

• If a washer is looking threadbare, other parts may need to be changed.
• If you encounter leaky pipes, note where it's coming from, turn off the water flowing into it, then call a professional plumber to have it fixed.
  
  

Check how your attic and basement are doing

Attics and basements/cellars are typically used for storage. As a result, we don't normally visit these rooms every day. So when problems occur (e.g. mildew, pests), we don't see them right away.

To avoid this, set aside some time to look at the condition of your attic and basement.

• Are there any cracks on the walls? This can lead to leaks if not addressed.
• If there are leaks, it can lead to rot.
• Is there a nasty smell? This can be caused by mould.
• Do you hear any squeaks or scratching? You might have critters living there.
• Is your sump pump still working? A busted pump can cause your basement to flood.

If there are repairs that you think are beyond your abilities, make sure you call a professional to do them for you.

Replace the fridge's water filter

If your refrigerator has a water or ice dispenser, then it should have a water filter that removes any impurities in the water it dispenses. This means you'll need to replace that filter regularly to keep the water you consume clean.

Recent fridge models may provide notifications when to change the filter. Otherwise, see to it that you write the date on the new filter when you take out the old one.

More home maintenance options

ALLBIDS runs hundreds of online auctions for your home maintenance needs on a daily basis. We provide layers of protection on each auction, which means you can bid with confidence. So look for the right computer today at ALLBIDS.

If you're looking to sell home-related supplies, you can also use ALLBIDS to maximise your return, without the hassle. Ask us today to find out how.