Water heater maintenance: Flush sediment and check the anode rod to prevent premature failure, flooding damage, and efficiency loss—avoiding $800-3,000 replacements and $2,000-10,000 in water damage

Tire and brake safety: Check your tire pressure, tread depth, and brakes to prevent accidents, maintain vehicle control, and catch minor issues before they become $500-1,500 repairs or life-threatening failures

Kitchen appliance maintenance: Run cleaning cycles and check filters on your dishwasher, refrigerator, range hood, and disposal to prevent fire hazards, extend appliance life by years, and avoid premature $3,000-7,000 replacements

Turn off power/gas, turn off cold water supply

Attach garden hose to drain valve, run to drainage location

Open drain valve and hot water faucet, let drain until clear

Close valve, restore water and power

Cost: Free to $25 DIY or $100-200 professional

Turn off power/gas and water, drain a few gallons

Remove hex head fitting on top with socket wrench, pull out rod

Replace if less than ½" thick or heavily corroded

Cost: $20-50 DIY or $200-300 professional

Health & Safety: Sudden tank failure causing flooding to floors, walls, and belongings; mold growth creating respiratory hazards; reduced hot water for sanitation and bathing; scalding risk from malfunctioning corroded tank or overheated water near heating elements

Financial Costs: Premature water heater replacement 3-5 years early ($800-3,000+), increased energy bills from sediment buildup ($50-200+ annually), water damage repairs ($2,000-10,000+), mold remediation ($500-6,000+), emergency plumber calls ($200-500+), damaged personal property, home sale price reductions ($1,000-3,000) or replacement requirements

Social Impact: Loud rumbling or banging noises during gatherings, running out of hot water when hosting guests, musty odors from water damage, embarrassment during home inspections, household disruption from emergency repairs and flooding, temporary relocation needs, visible neglect during showings

Legal Issues: Liability for water damage to neighboring units in condos/townhomes, insurance claim complications if maintenance neglect is documented, potential special assessments for shared structure damage

Check tire pressure with gauge ($5-15), compare to door jamb sticker, adjust at gas station ($0-2)

Use penny test for tread depth (Lincoln's head upside down—if you see his full head, replace tires)

Inspect tires for uneven wear, bulges, cracks, or objects

Listen for brake squealing/grinding, feel for vibrations or pulling when stopping

Check brake fluid level under hood

Cost: Free to $15 DIY, or $20-50 for professional tire inspection/rotation (brake inspections typically free)

Health & Safety: Increased stopping distance causing rear-end collisions, hydroplaning on wet roads with worn treads, tire blowouts at highway speeds, complete brake failure, loss of vehicle control, potential injuries or fatalities in accidents

Financial Costs: Reduced fuel efficiency costing $100-200+ yearly, premature tire replacement ($400-1,200+ per set), minor brake pad replacement ($100-300) becoming rotor/caliper damage ($500-1,500+), accident-related vehicle damage or total loss, medical expenses, increased insurance premiums, emergency towing and repairs

Social Impact: Visible tire damage signaling carelessness to passengers and colleagues, grinding brakes causing embarrassment, passengers declining rides due to safety concerns, damaged reputation for reliability and responsibility

Legal Issues: Traffic citations for insufficient tread or defective equipment ($100-300+), failed vehicle inspections preventing registration renewal, liability in accidents caused by poor maintenance, insurance claim denials, potential lawsuits and criminal charges in severe accidents, HOA complaints about inoperable vehicles

Run dishwasher cleaning cycle with cleaner or vinegar, remove and rinse filter

Replace refrigerator water filter, vacuum condenser coils

Clean/replace range hood grease filters (wash metal mesh or replace disposables)

Run ice cubes and citrus through disposal to clean and freshen

Check microwave vent filters

Cost: $40-110 for supplies (cleaner $3-8, fridge filters $20-60, hood filters $10-30, disposal cleaner $5-10)

Health & Safety: Grease-caked range hood filters creating fire hazards, bacteria and mold contaminating dishes and food, poor air quality from clogged vents, potential foodborne illness from unsanitary appliances

Financial Costs: 25-35% increased energy bills ($50-100+ yearly) from dirty coils, premature appliance failures requiring compressor replacement ($300-600), dishwasher pump/motor repairs ($150-500+), complete appliance replacement ($800-3,000+ per unit), early replacement of multiple appliances ($3,000-7,000+), property value reduction during sales ($1,000-5,000+), fire damage from grease ignition

Social Impact: Kitchen odors (mildew, rotting food, stagnant water) immediately noticeable to guests, dishes coming out dirty from clogged dishwasher embarrassing during meals, off-tasting water from expired filters, visible grime signaling poor hygiene, uncomfortable hosting situations, damaged reputation for cleanliness