There are few other feelings that can compare with owning a home. When they hand you the keys and you cross that threshold for the first time, you can just feel the difference. You're a homeowner now!

Most people can expect to own about three homes in their lifetime, so that new-home feeling isn't something that many of us get to enjoy very often. And the joys of home ownership come with challenges as well. Once you're all moved in and unpacked, the maintenance begins.

It seems like there's always a lot to do when you own your own home, but don't set yourself up for trouble down the road by putting off important maintenance now! Doing a small job now can help you avoid a big problem later. If you're a first-time homeowner, you might be unsure where to start. Here's a handy list of some one of the most neglected home-maintenance items that you really don't want to forget:

Hire a Pest Control Service. Twice a year, a pest control service should check out your home and property to ensure that you, your family, your pets, and even your home itself are protected against bugs and rodents. While some pests may just be nuisances, termites and other critters can do serious damage. A professional pest control service can help identify and mediate the biggest threats to your home.

Subscribe to Bi-Annual HVAC Service. Like any other appliance or large machine, your Olathe heating and cooling system requires regular maintenance. A typical furnace may last anywhere from 15 to 20 years, while an air conditioner lasts nearly as long. Keep them well-maintained and they'll last even longer. Bi-annual checkups are an absolute necessity for keeping your HVAC system in good shape, and subscribing to a program like Davenport's VIP Maintenance Agreements is the easiest way to ensure that those checkups happen when they should. It's also important to change the filter in your home's HVAC system regularly, at least once every other month. Once a month is probably better!

Get an Annual Termite Inspection. Many times, your pest control company will offer these, but on the off chance they don't, be sure to ask about termite inspections. Just because you don't see evidence of them yourself doesn't mean they aren't there. Termites start on the inside of the wood, so they can do a lot of damage before outward signs are visible. A professional inspection can track them down, get rid of them, and ensure that they don't come back.

Check Your Sump Pumps. Nobody likes a flooded basement, but a sump pump is one of those things that's easy to not think about until you need it. You don't want to discover that your sump pump is out of commission only after the rains start pouring down, though, so check your sump pump at least a couple of times a year. Testing your sump pump is pretty easy, and you can usually do so by just pouring some water into the basin and making sure that your pump kicks on.

Clean Your Gutters. Those gutters on your roof aren't there just for show. They do an important job keeping rainwater from collecting on your rooftop, but they can get clogged with leaves, dirt, and other debris. Clean them out at least a couple of times a year: first as part of your spring cleaning and again just before winter to make sure that all the fallen leaves are out of them.

Drain Sediment from the Water Heater. Like the sump pump, the water heater is easy to forget as long as it keeps working properly. However, water heaters need maintenance, too, including cleaning out the sediment from the bottom of the tank at least once a year by draining the heater. This will help protect the tank and the heating elements from damage and extend the life of the water heater.

Lube Your Garage Door Springs. Applying the proper lubricant to your garage door springs will help to protect them against fatigue and corrosion, which will eventually do them in. While you'll still have to replace them sooner or later, you can help make that later rather than sooner. Just check your owner's manual to see how frequently you should lube them up.

Power Wash and Seal Wood Decks. If your home has a wood deck, you know it's a great place to sit and enjoy the weather, have a meal, or just watch the stars come out. However, being out in the elements means that a wooden deck is vulnerable to everything from algae and mold to weather damage that can cause wood to warp or crack and nails to pop out of the deck. Fortunately, you can protect it by cleaning it off with a power washer and then sealing the wood every two or three years.

Winterize. There are lots of little things you can do to help ensure that your home is ready for winter, but one of the biggest ones that homeowners skip is protecting their pipes, outdoor faucets, and sprinklers when the cold weather hits. Anyone who has lived in Olathe long knows that it can get mighty cold around here in the winter. If pipes, faucets, spigots, or sprinklers aren't winterized, they can freeze and burst.

Improve Your Curb Appeal. We often hear curb appeal discussed when it comes time to sell a home—and it's extremely important if you're planning to sell—but curb appeal should matter to all homeowners, because it's an outward signal of how well your home is being taken care of overall. From trimming trees and fertilizing the lawn to keeping the exterior of your home clean and well painted, maintaining curb appeal is a way to maintain not only the value of your home, but its overall well-being, too.

In the end, just a little effort each month or each season can go a long way, but we know it's easy to let things slide as we get busy with life, work, family, and more. When you're a new homeowner, you'll quickly find the years flying by. Don't let a year or two go by without tackling some of these home maintenance jobs, or you'll soon find yourself up to your neck in much bigger troubles.

When it comes to "Customer First" Olathe heating and cooling maintenance and service, you can't beat Davenport Service Company. We've been helping Olathe homeowners stay warm and cool all year round for more than three decades. Whether you need help draining that water heater or want to sign up for our HVAC VIP maintenance program, call Davenport Service Company at 913-441-2222 today!