{"id":1874,"date":"2016-01-01T15:17:29","date_gmt":"2016-01-01T15:17:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/bloomington-il-puroclean-bloomington\/blog\/five-home-maintenance-projects-for-2016\/"},"modified":"2016-01-01T15:17:29","modified_gmt":"2016-01-01T15:17:29","slug":"new-year-home-maintenance-resolutions-most-homeowners-forget","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/bloomington-il-puroclean-bloomington\/blog\/new-year-home-maintenance-resolutions-most-homeowners-forget\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year Home Maintenance Resolutions Most Homeowners Forget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Home maintenance is a smart way to start fresh in the new year. As we spend more time indoors during the winter months, prioritizing home maintenance keeps our spaces safe, efficient, and comfortable. From checking your HVAC filters to sealing drafty ducts, simple home maintenance projects can lead to major savings. Don\u2019t forget to flush your water heater and inspect for mold or leaks. Regular home maintenance now can prevent costly damage later. If you notice signs of water, fire, or mold issues, contact <a href=\"https:\/\/g.co\/kgs\/JpkFuTo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PuroClean of Bloomington<\/a> for expert help. Make home maintenance part of your new year resolution routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/bloomington-il-puroclean-bloomington\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/369\/2019\/12\/how-to-keep-your-home-safe.jpg\" alt=\"home maintenance\n\" class=\"wp-image-5012\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Here are five simple but powerful ways to start the year with a smarter, safer home.<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#1-seal-and-insulate-your-ducts\">1. Seal and Insulate Your Ducts<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#2-improve-indoor-air-quality\">2. Improve Indoor Air Quality<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#3-declutter-for-a-calmer-space\">3. Declutter for a Calmer Space<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#4-save-water-and-money\">4. Save Water (And Money)<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#5-maintain-your-water-heater\">5. Maintain Your Water Heater<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-seal-and-insulate-your-ducts\">1. Seal and Insulate Your Ducts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If your HVAC system is working overtime, leaky ductwork might be the cause. Focus on sealing ducts that are easy to reach\u2014like those in your basement or crawl space\u2014before worrying about the attic or behind-the-wall spots. Use duct sealants or metal-backed tape along with fiberglass insulation to boost your home\u2019s energy efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only will this reduce your energy bills, but it can make every room in your house feel more comfortable year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-improve-indoor-air-quality\">2. Improve Indoor Air Quality<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air, especially during winter when windows stay closed. Here\u2019s what you can do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Change furnace filters every 2-3 months.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clean your HVAC system regularly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ventilate kitchens and bathrooms to reduce humidity and prevent mold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Switch to low-VOC paint.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Burn real firewood instead of pressed logs, which may release formaldehyde.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These small steps go a long way in keeping your lungs\u2014and your home\u2014healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-declutter-for-a-calmer-space\">3. Declutter for a Calmer Space<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Start small. Maybe it\u2019s the basement or the garage. Use boxes to sort by category: keep, donate, or toss. If you\u2019re short on space, consider using areas between wall studs or under the stairs. A little extra organization can transform chaos into calm and reduce stress at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-save-water-and-money\">4. Save Water (And Money)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider swapping out old fixtures for WaterSense-labeled products. Install a low-flow showerhead to reduce water use without sacrificing pressure. If your toilet was made before 1994, upgrade to a low-flow model that uses about 1 gallon per flush. These water-saving improvements are easy wins that add up fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-maintain-your-water-heater\">5. Maintain Your Water Heater<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Sediment builds up in your water heater over time, reducing its efficiency. Every three months, drain a quart of water from the tank using the drain valve. It takes just a few minutes and can extend the life of your unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dont-stop-there\">Don\u2019t Stop There<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a slow walk through your home. What squeaks? What leaks? What\u2019s collecting dust or growing mold? Add those to your list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you spot water damage, fire damage, or signs of mold, don\u2019t wait. Get professional help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fa-qs-about-new-year-home-maintenance-resolutions\">FAQs About New Year Home Maintenance Resolutions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What\u2019s one home maintenance task most people overlook in January?<\/strong><br>A: Cleaning and inspecting dryer vents. It\u2019s a fire hazard many homeowners forget to address early in the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: How can I tell if I need to replace my furnace filter?<\/strong><br>A: If it looks gray and dusty or it\u2019s been over three months, it\u2019s time for a replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: Is flushing a water heater difficult?<\/strong><br>A: Not at all. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve, open it, and let it run into a bucket. Just be careful\u2014the water may be hot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"need-help-with-home-damage-call-puro-clean-of-bloomington\">Need Help With Home Damage? Call <a href=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/bloomington-il-puroclean-bloomington\/contact\/\">PuroClean of Bloomington<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"tel:3094330900\">(309) 433-0900<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even the most thorough resolutions can\u2019t prevent every emergency. If your home suffers water damage, fire damage, or mold growth, PuroClean of Bloomington is here to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our experienced team handles emergency restoration and biohazard cleanup services with care and professionalism. We\u2019re just a phone call away: <strong><a href=\"tel:+13094330900\" class=\"phone-link\">(309) 433-0900<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let us help you start the year right\u2014with peace of mind and a home that\u2019s truly taken care of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home maintenance is a smart way to start fresh in the new year. As we spend more time indoors during the winter months, prioritizing home maintenance keeps our spaces safe,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19201,"template":"","blog-category":[13],"class_list":["post-1874","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog-category-in-the-community"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/bloomington-il-puroclean-bloomington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/1874","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/bloomington-il-puroclean-bloomington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/bloomington-il-puroclean-bloomington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/bloomington-il-puroclean-bloomington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/bloomington-il-puroclean-bloomington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/1874\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/bloomington-il-puroclean-bloomington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/bloomington-il-puroclean-bloomington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1874"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"blog-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/bloomington-il-puroclean-bloomington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog-category?post=1874"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}