A leaking pipe, a blocked drain or a suddenly cold shower can quickly disrupt your day - and, if ignored, can lead to expensive damage. If you have a waterworks problem, get these repairs done by a reliable, licensed plumber.
Maintenance
The hidden home maintenance problems worth checking now
A quick look around your home could help you spot small issues before they turn into bigger repairs. Here are the maintenance checks many homeowners forget.
Regular home maintenance isn't just about keeping your property looking its best. It's also one of the easiest ways to prevent expensive repairs, improve energy efficiency and protect the value of your home.
While most homeowners remember to mow the lawn or clean the house, many important maintenance tasks are easy to overlook because they're hidden from view or only become obvious once damage has already occurred. From blocked gutters and leaking taps to deteriorating seals around windows, small issues can quickly turn into costly problems if left unchecked.
Whether you own your home or are preparing it for sale, staying on top of routine maintenance can help you avoid unexpected repair bills and keep your home safe and comfortable all year round. Use this list to address some of the most common hidden maintenance problems in your home.
Access tradies you can count on 24/7, all year round, with RACV Emergency Home Assist.
More: Regular home safety and maintenance checks to keep your home in top shape
Quick home maintenance checklist
- Clean gutters twice a year and after storms.
- Check roof tiles, flashing and ceiling stains after severe weather.
- Test smoke alarms monthly.
- Inspect window, door and bathroom seals before winter.
- Look for hidden plumbing leaks every few months.
- Service heating, cooling and hot water systems as recommended.
- Monitor cracks that widen or appear suddenly.
- Check outdoor timber annually.
Commonly missed home maintenance issues
Clean your gutters before they cause water damage
Gutters play an important role in directing rainwater away from your roof, walls and foundations, but they’re easy to forget until there’s a blockage or overflow.
Leaves, twigs and other debris can build up quickly, especially in autumn or after storms. When gutters become blocked, water can overflow into the roof cavity, damage fascia boards, stain exterior walls or even affect your home's foundations over time.
As a general rule, inspect and clean them at least twice a year: once in autumn to remove fallen leaves and again before the wettest months. Homes surrounded by large trees, or properties exposed to heavy storms, may need more frequent checks.
Consider hiring a professional to inspect and clean your gutters safely. Falls from ladders can cause serious injuries, so consider your safety first.
More: Why gutter cleaning matters
Check your roof for small problems before they become major repairs
For many homeowners, the first sign of a leaking roof is a water mark on the ceiling. By this stage, water may have already caused significant damage to your roof.
After severe weather, inspect your roof from ground level using binoculars or arrange a professional inspection. Because working at heights can be dangerous, it’s best to leave ladder and roof work to qualified tradies with the right training and safety equipment.
Look for cracked or missing roof tiles, loose ridge capping, rust on metal roofing, damaged flashing around chimneys and skylights, or signs of sagging. Inside your home, water stains on ceilings, mould growth or damp patches in the roof cavity can all indicate a leak.
Addressing minor roof issues early is usually far less expensive than repairing extensive water damage. Contact a roofing professional for repairs.
More: Guide to house roof leaks, repairs, maintenance and reroofing
Test smoke alarms and replace batteries
Smoke alarms can save lives, but they only work if they're properly maintained.
Test every smoke alarm monthly using the test button and replace batteries whenever required, unless your alarms have sealed 10-year batteries. Keep alarms free from dust by gently vacuuming around them every few months.
Smoke alarms also have a limited lifespan. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the entire unit every 10 years, even if it still appears to be functioning correctly. If you're unsure of the age of your smoke alarms, check the manufacturing date printed on the back of the unit.
Qualified professionals can install new smoke alarm units, test smoke detectors, replace faulty batteries, inspect battery-operated or hard-wired smoke alarms, fix damaged hard-wired smoke alarms, and assess smoke alarm locations.
More: Smoke alarm guide to installation, maintenance, testing and replacement
Inspect seals around windows and doors
Weather seals and caulking around windows and doors gradually deteriorate through exposure to sunlight, rain and changing temperatures, so they’re worth checking before the coldest and hottest months of the year.
Failed seals can let in draughts, moisture and even insects, making heating and cooling systems work harder. Common warning signs include rattling window frames, condensation around glass or frames, visible gaps, water ingress, or rooms that feel harder to heat in winter or cool in summer.
Check for cracked, brittle or missing sealant around window frames, external doors and bathroom fixtures. Replacing worn seals can be a relatively inexpensive way to improve comfort, reduce heat loss and help keep moisture out.
More: How to stop window condensation in winter
Look for hidden plumbing leaks
Not every plumbing leak is obvious. Slow leaks beneath sinks, behind appliances or inside walls can continue for months before noticeable damage appears.
Regularly inspect for:
- degraded grout or silicone seals around plumbing fixtures (showers, baths, sinks)
- dampness, water stains or mould under kitchen and bathroom sinks
- signs of moisture around toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators with water connections
- swollen skirting boards or cabinetry.
An unexplained increase in your water bill can also indicate a hidden leak.
Contacting a licensed plumber to fix a small leak, or resealing degraded grout and silicone, can help prevent water damage, mould growth and unnecessarily high water bills.
More: Plumbing and leaks home maintenance guide for Australian homes
Fix any plumbing leaks promptly to avoid larger, more expensive issues down the track.
Check your hot water system requirements
Sediment naturally builds up inside hot water systems over time, particularly in areas with hard water.
As sediment accumulates, your hot water service becomes less efficient and may require more energy to heat water. Left unchecked, it can also shorten the lifespan of the system.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for servicing or flushing your hot water system, as requirements vary between units. If you’re unsure what maintenance is needed, or the work involves plumbing, electrical or gas components, arrange for a qualified professional to inspect and service the unit safely.
More: Guide to choosing the right hot water system for your home
Maintain your heating and cooling systems
Heating and cooling systems work hardest during Victoria's hottest and coldest months, making regular servicing essential.
Clean or replace air conditioner filters according to the manufacturer's instructions, keep outdoor condenser units free from leaves and vegetation, and arrange professional servicing every few years or as recommended for your system.
Gas heaters should also be serviced regularly by a qualified gasfitter or technician to ensure they're operating safely and efficiently.
Routine maintenance can improve energy efficiency, reduce running costs and extend the lifespan of your system.
More: Air conditioner servicing and maintenance - what you need to know
Don't ignore cracks in walls or foundations
Hairline cracks are often caused by normal settling, but larger or expanding cracks may indicate movement that requires further investigation.
Inspect internal walls, ceilings, brickwork and concrete paths every few months. Pay particular attention if cracks suddenly appear, widen over time or are accompanied by sticking doors or windows.
If you're concerned about structural movement, seek advice from a qualified building professional before the issue worsens.
Check outdoor timber for rot and deterioration
Timber decks, fences, pergolas and handrails are constantly exposed to Australia's harsh weather conditions.
Over time, moisture, termites and ultraviolet exposure can weaken timber, creating safety hazards and reducing the lifespan of outdoor structures.
Inspect timber annually for soft spots, cracking, loose fasteners, peeling paint or signs of insect damage. Recoat timber with appropriate oils, stains or paint to help protect it from the elements.
Replacing damaged boards early is often much cheaper than rebuilding an entire deck or fence.
More: How carpentry maintenance services can improve your home
Inspect timber annually for rotting, cracking, peeling or other signs of damage.
Frequently asked questions: home maintenance
It's a good idea to inspect your home every season and after severe weather events. Regular checks can help identify small problems before they become expensive repairs. Some tasks, such as testing smoke alarms, should be completed monthly, while others, like roof and gutter inspections, are typically recommended at least twice a year.
Cleaning gutters is one of the most commonly overlooked maintenance jobs. Blocked gutters can cause roof leaks, water damage, mould growth and even affect your home's foundations if rainwater isn't directed away from the property.
Poor maintenance may contribute to damage that could otherwise have been prevented. While every policy is different, insurance generally covers sudden and unexpected events rather than damage resulting from gradual deterioration, wear and tear or lack of maintenance. Keeping your home well maintained can help reduce the risk of costly repairs and unexpected issues.
Before winter, inspect and clean gutters, check your roof for damage, service your heater, seal gaps around windows and doors, inspect exterior drainage, trim overhanging branches and test smoke alarms. Completing these tasks before wet and cold weather arrives can help prevent leaks, improve energy efficiency and keep your home safe.
Many routine maintenance tasks can be completed safely by homeowners, including testing smoke alarms, checking for plumbing leaks, replacing weather seals, cleaning air conditioner filters and inspecting outdoor timber. Tasks involving electrical systems, gas appliances, plumbing or working at heights should generally be carried out by appropriately qualified professionals.
RACV Trades is a trading name of RACV's trade partner, Club Home Response Pty Ltd (Victorian registered domestic building practitioner number CDB-U 100178). All works are performed or arranged by Club Home Response Pty Ltd. trading as RACV Trades. See RACV Trades terms and conditions.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
