Homeowners Maintenance Guide | Asheville, NC

asheville home maintenance guide

Welcome to your new home in the beautiful Western North Carolina (WNC) region! Whether you’re already an Asheville local or are just settling in, it’s essential to stay on top of home maintenance. This will help to protect your investment and ensure your home remains in top condition for when you sell in the future. This guide provides detailed information on various aspects of home maintenance specific to the Asheville area, including a full cost breakdown on tree care, moisture control, roof and gutter upkeep, HVAC maintenance, pest control, and plumbing. Let’s jump in!

Tree Maintenance in Asheville

Asheville’s lush greenery is stunning but requires regular upkeep to prevent damage to your home. Common tree species like oak, pine, and maple need seasonal pruning to prevent overgrowth and maintain health. Regular tree maintenance helps prevent potential damage to your home from falling branches, particularly during stormy weather. Pests such as the hemlock woolly adelgid and the emerald ash borer, can cause significant damage to local trees often requiring arborists to fully remove the dead tree. According to the International Society of Arboriculture, regular tree pruning can prevent potential hazards and save homeowners significant costs in damage repairs.

It’s recommended to hire a professional arborist certified in North Carolina for tasks such as:

  • Seasonal pruning
  • Disease and pest inspection
  • Removal of dead or hazardous limbs

View the list for top 10 arborists in the Asheville region for 2024 here.

Roof and Gutter Maintenance

Maintaining your roof and gutters is crucial to prevent water damage and ensure the longevity of your home. Regular inspections + cleanings are necessary to keep your Asheville home in optimal condition. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Inspect and clean gutters at least twice a year
  • Check for and repair any roof damage, such as missing or broken shingles
  • Install chimney rain caps to prevent water and leaves from entering the chimney
  • Consider installing gutter guards to prevent the build-up of leaves and debris.

Chimney Rain Caps

chimney cap installation

The National Roofing Contractors Association highlights that regular roof maintenance can extend the life of your roof by up to 50%. WNC Chimney offers professional installation of chimney rain caps, which provide excellent protection against water and debris. Our high-quality rain caps are designed to fit various chimney sizes and styles, ensuring your chimney stays clear and functional.

Moisture and Mold Prevention

Asheville experiences high humidity during the summer months, making moisture control essential to prevent mold growth throughout the house. WNC homeowners should take the following steps to maintain a dry and mold free environment:

  • Install dehumidifiers in basements and crawl spaces
  • Ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens
  • Regularly inspect and repair any water leaks
  • Use mold-resistant paint in areas prone to moisture

The EPA emphasizes that moisture control is the key to mold control and can prevent costly repairs and health issues. Mold specialsts are experts are sealing your crawlspace to prevent water damage and ensure the house is properly ventilated. View the list for top 10 mold removal specialists in the Asheville region for 2024.

Annual Chimney Sweep/Inspection

Regular chimney maintenance is crucial for preventing fire hazards and ensuring efficient operation of your Asheville home. Particularly if you use a wood-burning fireplace, but gas fireplaces should also be inspected and serviced once per year. Annual chimney sweeps and inspections can identify and remove soot, blockages, and creosote buildup.

Key steps include:

The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends annual chimney inspections and sweeps to prevent chimney fires and costly repairs, emphasizing that proper maintenance can save homeowners significant money and enhance safety by preventing home fires.

HVAC & Dryer Vent Maintenance

Ensuring your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is well-maintained is essential for comfort and energy efficiency, especially with Asheville’s variable climate. According to Energy Star, properly maintaining your HVAC system can reduce energy bills by up to 15%.

Regular HVAC maintenance includes:

  • Changing air filters every 1-3 months
  • Scheduling professional inspections and tune-ups twice a year
  • Cleaning and clearing debris from outdoor units
  • Checking and sealing ductwork to prevent leaks
  • Dryer vent cleaning every 1-3 years

Animal & Pest Control

Asheville’s wooded environment can attract various pests, making pest control a necessary aspect of home maintenance. The National Pest Management Association states that regular pest control can prevent structural damage that costs U.S. homeowners $5 billion annually. Effective pest control involves:

  • Regularly inspecting and sealing cracks and openings
  • Keeping the home clean and free of food debris
  • Using natural or professional pest control treatments
  • Ensuring proper yard maintenance to reduce habitats for pests

In addition to common pests like termites, ants, and rodents, Asheville homeowners should be aware of local black bears. Black bears have even been found building nests underneath homes in Asheville and are often found breaking into trash cans. These bears are attracted to unsecured trash and food sources, so it’s important to:

  • Use bear-proof trash cans
  • Securely store all food and garbage inside your home or in bear-proof containers
  • Clean and remove bird feeders during bear activity seasons

Plumbing Maintenance

Proper plumbing maintenance helps prevent leaks, water damage, and costly repairs. The EPA states that fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10% on their water bills. Key plumbing maintenance tasks include:

  • Annual inspection of pipes and fixtures to check for leaks
  • Insulating pipes to prevent freezing during winter
  • Flushing the water heater to remove sediment buildup
  • Checking water pressure and ensuring it’s within safe limits

View the list for top 10 plumbers in the Asheville region for 2024 here.

Annual Maintenance Costs Overview

Service Cost Range
Tree Maintenance $200 – $800
Dehumidifier Installation $250 – $1,500
Dryer Vent Service $250-$300
Roof Inspection and Repair $150 – $500
Gutter Cleaning $100 – $300
Annual Chimney Sweep $100 – $400
HVAC Maintenance $70 – $200/visit
Pest Control $100 – $300/visit
Plumbing Maintenance $175 – $500

By following this Asheville Home Maintenance Guide, new homeowners can ensure their property remains in excellent condition, enhancing its value and comfort. It’s also crucial to be aware of unexpected costs such as appliance repairs, landscaping, and emergency services that can arise. For a deeper understanding of the costs associated with owning versus renting a home, check out this article here. For more information on chimney rain caps, dryer vent cleaning, chimney sweeps and other services call WNC Chimney at (828) 400-6253

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Keep Warm Video

Keep warm all year round in your home. Our team members are passionate about providing the care and attention your chimney and fireplace needs with every job, big or small. Full-service fireplace and chimney services are available in Waynesville, Asheville, Sylva, Franklin, and beyond. Give us a call today and schedule an appointment! Call: (828)-400-6253

How to Keep Your Chimney Clean This Season

A fireplace can make your home feel warm and cozy. That said, you need to make sure that your chimney is in good working order, and it’s wise to keep it clean. Not sure how to do that? Let’s dig in.

Schedule Chimney Services Regularly

A well-maintained chimney is a safe chimney. Poorly maintained chimneys are one of the leading causes of house fires in the United States. According to the National Fire Protection Association, about 30% of house fires are caused by dirty chimneys. This is because of the creosote. Creosote is a greasy liquid that smoke leaves behind when it travels up your chimney. It’s incredibly flammable and can put your home and family at risk if it builds up. To keep creosote at bay, make sure to schedule chimney services regularly. A professional chimney sweep will remove this dangerous residue and leave your chimney safe and secure.

Work With Professionals

A chimney sweep has years of experience and knows what to look for when it comes to ensuring your chimney is in good working condition. When you bring in the pros for a sweep, they can keep an eye out for problems, such as cracking brick or stones, poor ventilation, and more. If these problems are uncovered, they should be addressed before you use your chimney again. Addressing smaller problems early on can help to keep them from becoming bigger issues later down the road.

Book Out Your Chimney Services

As we’ve established, it’s a good idea to hire a professional chimney sweep to keep your chimney clean. However, regular maintenance and inspections may not be at the top of your mind throughout the year. To help keep your chimney in good shape year-round, consider booking out your chimney services in advance. This is a great way to ensure that your chimney is serviced at a time that works best for you, and you won’t need to worry about when to schedule your next service to be ready for the season.

If you’re looking for an experienced chimney sweep you can rely on, you’ve come to the right place. WNC Chimney Solutions provides high-quality chimney services to keep your home safe and your chimney clean. For more information or to schedule an appointment with a chimney sweep, contact our team today.

4 Signs You Need a Chimney Repair

Your chimney undergoes extensive wear and tear over years of use. Without proper maintenance, problematic issues can develop. According to Medium, one of the primary reasons for proper chimney maintenance is to ensure fire safety by removing creosote buildup. Watch for these common signs that your chimney likely needs professional repairs.

1. Noticeable Changes in Draft Performance

A properly functioning chimney has a strong, steady draft that smoothly evacuates smoke and combustion byproducts outside. If you notice that the draft seems significantly weaker or slower than normal, it likely indicates a blockage has formed inside the flue. Back puffing or smoke spilling back into the fireplace also signals chimney draft issues. These changes mean creosote buildup or exterior damage is interfering with airflow and the chimney’s operation. Ignoring draft changes risks fire hazards or carbon monoxide entering the home.

2. Discolored or Missing Mortar

The mortar between chimney bricks is meant to be a light beige or gray color when in good condition. If you notice the existing mortar has become charred and blackened from ongoing smoke exposure, it needs professional re-pointing to restore the seal. Also inspect for areas where old mortar is missing or crumbling and that provides openings for air, moisture, and pests. Knocking out damaged mortar and tuck-pointing fresh mortar seals the chimney and prevents further deterioration.

3. Sounds of Animals or Debris Inside

If you hear flapping, rustling noises, or animal sounds coming from the chimney, it’s likely a sign that birds, raccoons, or other critters have gotten in and made nests. Blockages from leaves, twigs, and other debris lead to animal infestations. Before using the fireplace, it’s critical to have a thorough chimney weeping performed to remove all blockages and nesting materials. Otherwise, fire hazards exist. A chimney cap also helps keep wildlife out when not in use.

4. Obvious or Visible Damage

Carefully inspect the chimney’s exterior masonry or stonework for warning signs of damage. Look for missing or cracked bricks, crumbling sections, shifted alignment, and spalling or flaking surfaces that indicate damage. If you can spot damage, repairs are needed.

Unrepaired damage often worsens quickly due to ongoing exposure to weather and seasonal temperature changes. If you notice one or more of these issues, you need to resolve them correctly to prevent further deterioration or safety issues like collapses and falling sections. Call us at WNC Chimney Solutions to get the chimney repairs you need.

What to Know About Chimney Repairs and Maintenance

It’s easy to forget about your fireplace chimney if you only use it a few times per year. However, like every other part of your home, you need to keep a close eye on your chimney and may need to bring in professionals to repair and maintain it. Let’s go over some key considerations.

The Stakes Are High

The most important thing to remember with chimney fireplaces is that a malfunctioning or improperly maintained chimney can be dangerous. If your chimney is not in good repair, the risks of a fire starting or carbon monoxide poisoning occurring are much higher. Keep in mind, that fires produce carbon monoxide, and in some cases, the gases could flow into your home. It’s wise to set up carbon monoxide detectors.

Each year, roughly 80,000 fires are linked in some way to chimneys according to the National Chimney Safety Institute. That said, don’t let these warnings scare you. If you have your fireplace and chimney regularly cleaned and inspected, the risks are low. If a problem does emerge, the right repairs can restore safety.

Prevention is the Best Route

In medicine, they say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That can certainly prove true with maintenance around the home. Regularly cleaning your fireplace chimney and using it correctly can reduce the risk of serious problems. Angi’s List also notes preventive cleaning can help delay chimney repair and keep your chimney in good condition. In the long run, this can help you keep costs low.

Repair Can Be a Necessity

First, if you don’t clean your chimney, creosote can build up inside it. This material is a dark tar and is highly flammable. It can start fires. Soot build-ups can also cause problems and material build-ups can increase the risks of exposure to toxic fumes. Another problem is water. Often, the stones and mortar used to create a chimney can act like a sponge, soaking up water. This can encourage the formation of cracks that can expand with time. This could result in your chimney no longer functioning correctly.

Many other factors could come into play if you have a fireplace chimney. Fortunately, by working with professional chimney sweeps and repair providers, you can greatly reduce the risks. If you need assistance with your fireplace, contact WNC Chimney Solutions.

Why Proper Chimney Maintenance Is Important

A chimney, often overlooked in the routine maintenance of a home, plays a pivotal role in keeping your living space safe and comfortable. Beyond being a mere architectural feature, it serves a crucial purpose. Proper chimney maintenance is vital to ensure not only the efficient functioning of your heating system but also the safety of your home. In this article, we will explore the reasons why fireplace chimney maintenance should be a top priority for every homeowner.

Ensuring Fire Safety

One of the primary reasons for proper chimney maintenance is to ensure fire safety. Over time, creosote, a highly flammable substance, can build up in the chimney due to the burning of wood or other fuels. If left unattended, this accumulation can lead to a chimney fire, causing extensive damage to your home and putting your family’s safety at risk. Regular chimney inspections and cleanings by professionals can prevent such hazardous situations by removing creosote and identifying potential fire hazards.

Maintaining Air Quality

A well-maintained chimney also plays a crucial role in maintaining indoor air quality. When a chimney is blocked or obstructed, harmful gases like carbon monoxide can enter your home, posing severe health risks to you and your family. These gases are odorless and colorless, making them difficult to detect without specialized equipment. Regular chimney inspections can detect any blockages or damage that may compromise air quality, allowing for timely repairs and maintenance to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

Extending Appliance Lifespan

Fireplace chimney maintenance is not only about the chimney itself but also about the appliances connected to it, such as fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. These appliances rely on a properly functioning chimney to vent out gases and smoke. If the chimney is clogged or damaged, it can strain these appliances, leading to increased wear and tear. Investing in chimney maintenance not only ensures the longevity of your chimney but also extends the lifespan of your heating appliances, saving you money on costly repairs and replacements.

Proper chimney maintenance is an essential aspect of homeownership that should not be overlooked. It encompasses various benefits, including fire safety, indoor air quality, and the longevity of your heating appliances. Neglecting chimney maintenance can lead to costly repairs, compromised safety, and decreased comfort within your home. Therefore, it is wise to schedule regular inspections and cleanings by qualified professionals to ensure that your chimney remains in optimal condition, serving its vital role in your household effectively and safely. Contact WNC Chimney Solutions today to get started with our services!

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