Family Handyman: save money with maintenance

Family Handyman’s recent home-maintenance guides make a simple argument: small routine checks cost less than major repairs after a leak, clog, or equipment failure. (familyhandyman.com) An August 6, 2025 checklist for new homeowners says annual upkeep helps keep a house “in top shape” and avoid costly repairs. It focuses on rooms and systems owners often ignore, including basements, attics, crawlspaces, bathrooms, and kitchen appliances. (familyhandyman.com) The list gets specific fast. In bathrooms, it tells owners to look for active leaks under sinks, behind toilets, and around tubs or showers, then replace worn caulk before water gets behind walls. (familyhandyman.com) In basements, the same guide says to test a sump pump every year because it can fail “without warning.” It also tells owners to look for mold or moisture and make sure a dehumidifier is working properly. (familyhandyman.com) Family Handyman’s monthly checklist, updated June 4, 2025, pushes the same prevention-first approach. It says a small roof or gutter problem can become mold growth and water damage if it sits long enough. (familyhandyman.com) That monthly list tells owners to inspect the attic during a rainstorm, check heating and cooling filters at least every month, and test garage-door safety shutoffs. It also recommends trimming shrubs around outdoor air-conditioning units so the equipment can run properly. (familyhandyman.com) Another Family Handyman roundup, published March 17, 2025, frames the same idea as “prevent problems before they happen.” Its examples include locating the main water shutoff valve and replacing a leaking water heater before the tank ruptures and floods a room. (familyhandyman.com) A separate 2024 list adds the cost of neglect in concrete terms. One example describes a homeowner who found a basement under a half-inch of water after a sump-pump float cable tangled, then spent 15 hours pulling wet carpet, vacuuming water, and moving fans. (familyhandyman.com) That same 2024 piece says one home tested above 110 pounds per square inch of water pressure before a new pressure-reducing valve brought it down to about 75. Family Handyman says pressure that high can damage pipes, fixtures, and appliances while wasting water. (familyhandyman.com) Taken together, the publication’s maintenance coverage is less about big remodels than repeatable habits: check, clean, test, seal, and replace parts before they fail. For homeowners, the pitch is straightforward — spend a few minutes now or a lot more money later. (familyhandyman.com 1) (familyhandyman.com 2)