Tiny Home Maintenance 101: Keeping Your Teacup in Tip-Top Shape

Living in a Teacup Tiny Home is a dream for many people, and it's easy to see why! It offers a minimalist and eco-friendly lifestyle that's both charming and practical. But, like any home, tiny houses need some TLC to keep them in tip-top shape and ensure a cozy living space. Today we'll take you through the must-do tasks for maintaining your Teacup Tiny Home.

Before we dive into the specifics, it's crucial to understand why maintenance matters. Tiny homes, just like traditional houses, are subject to wear and tear over time. Neglecting maintenance can lead to costly repairs and a decrease in your home's overall lifespan. Proper maintenance ensures your Teacup Tiny Home remains a safe and comfy place to live.

Roof and Siding Care 

Let's chat about your tiny home's exterior – it's like the superhero cape of your little castle! 

Imagine your roof and siding as the guardian that keeps you safe from rain, snow, and all sorts of weather adventures. To keep it in tip-top shape, you'll want to regularly give it a once-over for any signs of trouble like cracked caulking or loose areas (a great time to do this as the seasons change during spring and fall!)

Now, here's the fun part: spa day! Clear away any debris that may have landed on your roof. Leaves, twigs, and random bits can get stuck up there, and they're like troublemakers trying to sneak in and cause problems. By removing them, you're preventing moisture from hanging around and causing mischief. If you've installed the recommended eaves on your home, now is also the perfect time to clean them out of any debris that may have built up in them over the last few months!

So, remember, your tiny home's exterior is your shield against the outside world. Give it some love, and it'll keep you cozy and dry for many adventures to come!

Windows and Doors

First off, let's give a big shoutout to these champs for providing us with fresh air, lovely sunlight, and that all-important security blanket.

Your windows and doors need help to stay in top shape. So, it's important to start with regularly checking the interior seals, locks, and frames for any signs of wear and tear. We don't want any sneaky drafts making their way in!

The next step is to check the exterior of your windows and doors. Weep holes aren't just there for looks, they are designed to drain the water from your windows. Since your windows are regularly exposed to all sorts of elements they can easily become clogged with dirt, leaves, or other debris, and cause water puddling in your home. Making sure your weep holes are cleared saves costly repairs in the future! 

The caulking around the exterior of your windows and doors should be checked for any type of cracking or wear. Worn caulking can allow water to get inside your home, so checking those areas as you clean your windows or when you do your roof and siding checkup is important!

Plumbing

Tiny homes come with adorable, compact plumbing systems, so it's extra important to be on top of things. We want to keep our water flowing smoothly and not turn our homes into water parks accidentally!

Keep an eye out for any leaks – little leaks, dripping faucets, or sneaky running toilets. We don't want water going where it's not supposed to, right?

If you're living in a chilly place, think of your pipes as needing some cozy sweaters. Insulating them is like giving them a warm hug and preventing them from freezing in colder climates.

And, if your tiny home is parked in a cold climate, but you aren't planning to stay in it - so there will be no heat in the winter - it's important to winterize your plumbing. That's where you'll drain all of the water out of your plumbing system and then add RV Antifreeze to all of the p-traps in your home!

 HVAC Systems

If you've got heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in your tiny haven, it's also time to give it some love. Just like us, it needs a little attention to keep performing at its best!

Start by opening up your furnace cabinet and vacuuming out the space around it. It's important to keep this area clear of any objects so if anything has been placed in the cabinet over the course of the year, take it out! Also, be sure to check around the cabinet - ensure the venting is clear of any obstructions because air flow around your furnace is imperative.

Next on the agenda is opening up your vent covers. Inspect the cover for any damage and carefully vacuum the vent. Keeping your vents free and clear will ensure heat is dispensed properly throughout your home. When replacing the cover, make sure to check that they are open!

And don't forget about the professionals! If there are issues or something isn't working according to plan don't be afraid to call for extra help. Keeping your HVAC in top shape ensures your plumbing doesn't freeze and neither do your toes - a happy HVAC system means a happy tiny home!

The Extras

A few other things to check as you complete your tiny home maintenance:

- Testing all smoke detectors.
- Check your fire extinguisher to ensure it's still in the working zone (these do need to be replaced if used or if the charge line goes below what's acceptable).
- Go through your first aid kits, refill anything that may have been used throughout the year.
- As it's recommended to use your furnace as the primary heat source in winter, if you have a Mini Split unit clean any debris away from it and cover it for the winter to keep it protected from the elements.

Remember, maintenance isn't just about preserving your investment; it's about safeguarding your well-being and the environment. Embrace the role of a responsible tiny home owner, and you'll reap the benefits of this minimalist lifestyle for years to come.

If you haven't taken the leap into tiny home living but are considering it, book a discovery call with us today!

Until next time,
-Jen