Busted: Here Are 10 Home Maintenance Lies I’ve Uncovered

You know how there’s always a list of must-do’s floating around when it comes to maintaining your home? Well, it turns out, not all of those tips are as set in stone as you might think. In fact, some of those tips might even be hurting your home and health.

I’m here to debunk 10 home maintenance myths you’ve probably heard a hundred times.

Myth: Asbestos In Your Home Must Be Removed Immediately

Stumbled upon asbestos in your older home? Before you call in the hazmat team, take a breath. Asbestos, a popular building material before its ban in 1978, isn’t automatically a call to action.

The EPA points out that asbestos is only a danger if it’s disturbed—meaning it’s friable, or crumbly, allowing fibers to escape into the air. If the asbestos-containing materials in your home are intact and not in any renovation hit zones, they’re generally safe to leave as is.

Myth: Your Dishwasher Is Self-Cleaning

Ever tossed your dirty dishes in the dishwasher and figured the machine cleans itself in the process? It’s a common thought, but not quite accurate. While dishwashers are great at cleaning up after your meals, they need a little TLC themselves to keep them running smoothly and staying fresh.

Every so often, you should clear out any food scraps from the filter and tub to ensure proper drainage. For a deeper clean, run it with a couple of cups of vinegar placed on the bottom rack—no detergent needed. This will keep funky smells at bay and extend the life of your dishwasher.

Myth: Pool Chemical Timing Doesn’t Matter

Think you can just toss chemicals into your pool anytime and it’s good? If you’re doing this in the middle of a sunny day, you might want to rethink your strategy.

The best time to add chemicals, especially chlorine, is after sunset. Here’s why: UV rays from direct sunlight can quickly diminish the effectiveness of chlorine and other chemicals, leaving your pool less protected than you think.

Myth: If Your Carpet Feels Dry, It’s Completely Dry

Just because the surface of your carpet doesn’t squish under your feet doesn’t mean it’s all clear underneath. Water from spills or floods tends to be a sneaky guest, soaking into the underlay and even the subfloor beneath.

And here’s where it gets tricky: moisture trapped in these hidden spots can become a breeding ground for mold, especially in porous materials like wood and concrete. Ignoring this can lead to a mold invasion that’s not just nasty but also pricey to fix. Always ensure a thorough drying, which might even require professional help.

Myth: The Bathroom Exhaust Fan is Maintenance-Free

Think your bathroom exhaust fan is a set-it-and-forget-it fixture? Think again. While it’s easy to forget about, this fan does some heavy lifting in venting out moisture and odors. Over time, though, it can collect dust and even become a playground for mold and mildew.

To keep it running efficiently and safely, you’ll want to clean and vacuum the fan cover and its mechanical parts every six to twelve months. A little maintenance can keep it from becoming a bigger headache.

Myth: More Insulation Equals Better Efficiency

Piling on the insulation in your home might seem like a no-brainer for keeping cozy and cutting energy costs, but it isn’t quite that simple. While it’s true that you need good insulation to stop heat from escaping, there’s such a thing as too much.

Overdoing it, especially in the attic, can squish the lower layers, making them less effective. Plus, you might accidentally block the vents along your eaves or soffits, which can lead to a whole host of issues like overheating or moisture problems—and nobody wants a mold party in their attic.

Myth: The Test Button Fully Checks Your Smoke Alarm

Hitting the test button on your smoke alarm might give you a quick peace of mind with its reassuring beep, but are you really checking everything you need to? Turns out, that button is just confirming that the sound mechanism works, not that the smoke detector itself can actually sense smoke.

For a real test, try the old burnt match trick: light a match, blow it out, and hold it beneath the detector. The smoke should make the alarm go off.

Remember to give your smoke alarm a smoke test every spring and fall to ensure it’s truly working.

Myth: Turning Off the AC Saves More Energy

Think flipping off the air conditioner when you leave the house is saving you big bucks on energy? It might feel smart, but it could actually be costing you more.

When you shut off your AC, the house heats up. Later, when you flick the AC back on, it has to work pretty hard to cool everything down again, which can eat up any savings you thought you were making by turning it off.

A smoother move is to just nudge your thermostat up five to ten degrees when you’re out. This way, your AC chills (literally) without going off duty completely, keeping those energy costs more in check without the heavy lifting later.

Myth: Gutters Are a Fall-Only Affair

Only scooping leaves out of your gutters in the fall? You might want to adjust that calendar. Gutters can get jam-packed with debris any season, which spells trouble.

When they’re blocked, they can’t do their job of directing rainwater away from your house properly, risking water damage to both the interior and exterior of your home.

And here’s another kicker: clogged gutters are like a welcome mat for insects, rodents, and mold. To avoid turning your gutters into a critter condo, consider cleaning them out in both the summer and fall. This way, you’re protecting your home year-round, not just when the leaves drop.

Myth: Cutting Grass Shorter Reduces Mowing Frequency

If you’ve ever thought about hacking your grass down to a putting green’s height to save some time, it’s worth thinking again. Sure, it sounds like a shortcut, but it actually invites a bunch of lawn issues. Going too short can actually turn your yard into a playground for weeds and diseases, not to mention it dries out the soil much faster.

Instead of going for the golf course look, try sticking to the one-third rule: only snip off the top third of the grass blades each time you mow. This gives you a healthier lawn as well as stronger roots.