12 things all smart homeowners should do once a month

“Go into your attic to spot any leaks during a rain storm,” says John Bodrozic, co-founder of US-based HomeZada.

“Roof leaks can go unrepaired for a long time creating damage to insulation and can be a source of mould growth, which is harmful to your health.”

Bodrozic says you should replace your air filters at least four times a year, but it’s best to check them once a month.

This keeps air in the house healthy and your system running efficiently because they are not clogged with debris or dust.

Test that the safety features of your automatic-opening garage door are still in good shape, says Bodrozic.

That includes the safety beams, which should stop the door from closing if it detects anything the door’s path.

“Your doors are probably a series of panels that are connected with hinges and have either metal or plastic rollers on each side,” Bodrozic says.

“Use an appropriate lubricant, depending on metal or plastic rollers, to keep your garage door operating smoothly and prolong its useful life.”

Shrubs often grow around your A/C unit, which blocks free air flow, says Bodrozic.

“This causes the unit to work harder and can cause damage, so it is important to trim shrubs and remove leaves from the surrounding area.”

“The top or bottom of your refrigerator has a grill that you can detach to get access to the compressor and cooling coils. This builds up dust over time and blocks air flow, which can burn out your refrigerator’s cooling system” says Bodrozic.

“Whether you live in an apartment by yourself or you have a family of five, somehow food always piles up in the fridge,” says professional organizer Christina Giaquinto, owner of US-based Christina Giaquinto Organizing LLC.

At the beginning of every month, take out all the containers and perishable items and decide what is good to eat, and what needs to be thrown out,” she suggests.

“If you have a little extra motivation, I suggest wiping the shelves down and doing a thorough clean after you finish de-cluttering.”

“Take a bird’s eye view of your finances to see where you spent your money, how well you budgeted, and how well you saved. It’s very easy to spend without purpose, which leads to overspending and wondering where everything went,” Giaquinto adds.

This takes discipline, but doing so will help you manage your money better the next month, which will obviously do wonders for your stress level.

“If you notice that your sinks or tubs aren’t draining as quickly, there may be a buildup causing a blockage,” says Kyle Gesuelli, home improvement expert for US-based handy.com.

“The first thing to do is try to remove anything that is obstructing the pipe manually using a pipe cleaner to pull debris through the plughole. Second, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by some hot water, which should clear things out.”

“The best way to clean out your garbage disposal is with baking soda and white vinegar, ” says Gesuelli.

“Take half a cup of baking soda and a cup of white wine vinegar, and put both down the sink. After a few minutes, pour some boiling hot water down, too. Next, fill the drain with some ice cubes, and add a cup of salt, which will help to remove debris. Finally, add lemon halves to the disposal and keep both the water running and the garbage disposal on.”