Owning a home is a lot of responsibility, and part of that responsibility is taking care of home maintenance tasks. While you might get busy with work and life, there are certain tasks you need to take care of on a regular basis. Make sure you don’t ignore these top five professional home maintenance tasks.

Gutter Cleaning

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Gutters are your home’s first line of defense against water damage from rainstorms. Clean gutters will direct water off the roof and away from the foundation of your house. Properly working gutters will protect the wood under the eaves, shingles, siding, and landscaping from problems and expensive repairs. Additionally, clogged gutters can lead to mold and mildew growth from decomposed leaves and mosquito infestations because of standing water. You should clean your gutters at least every spring to remove any debris that accumulated from fall and winter.

Check for Water Leaks

The next maintenance task you want to complete every few months is to look for water leaks around your house. Water leaks can cause damage in more ways than one. First, it can lead to mold and mildew problems. Second, because insects such as ants and termites like chewing on soft wood, it can also lead to pest infestations. Finally, leaks can cause high water bills. When you’re checking for leaks, look under the sinks, around the toilets, and for stains on the ceiling.

Check for Air Leaks

Along with checking for water leaks, you also want to look for air leaks around your windows and doors. You can save on heating and cooling costs by cutting back on the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home. Use caulk to seal openings and cracks around stationary items such as door and window frames, and use weatherstripping to seal components that move, like doors and windows that open. Not only will sealing air leaks help you save money on energy costs, it will also help your home feel more comfortable.

HVAC Maintenance

Another way to make sure your home feels comfortable all year is by keeping up with HVAC maintenance. While you can handle simple tasks like changing the air filters every three months, you should contact a qualified service technician to come out and give your unit a tune-up. Aim to have maintenance performed on your HVAC unit once in the spring for the air conditioning and once in the fall before you need to use the furnace.

Look for Pests

Every few months, walk around your home and seal holes where pests can get inside. This can include cracks around windows and doors and openings around the foundation, especially where wires and pipes enter your home. A can of spray foam can seal most holes. To keep insects away, make sure you don’t have any standing water around your foundation.

From cleaning the gutters to hiring a professional to perform maintenance on your HVAC unit, these are the important home maintenance tasks you don’t want to ignore.