The bathroom is one of the busiest rooms in your home, and it can lead to a small crisis when your bathroom malfunctions. Keep your bathroom running smoothly and your family happy by keeping up with regular bathroom maintenance. Luckily maintaining a good bathroom takes only a little knowledge and self-awareness. Setting aside some time each month to go over routine tasks can keep everything running smoothly. Here are four handy tips to make sure that your bathtub, toilet, exhaust fan, and sink stay in good working order.

1. Check Your Caulk

Caulk is the material used around bathtubs, sinks, and toilets to prevent water leaks. It doesn’t last forever and should be replaced once a year to avoid mold, mildew and water damage. To replace old caulk, use a razor scraper with a plastic blade to lift it away from the tub or sink. Then use a caulking gun to apply a fresh new layer of waterproof caulk. Make sure to set a date ahead of time so that you remember.

2. Test Your Toilet

The toilet is one of the most frequently used appliances in your home, and a huge mess can result if something goes wrong with it. Check your toilet once a month by running a dry rag around the base to detect leaks. Then open the tank and see if there are any problems with the flotation device or water level. If you notice any signs of trouble, you should definitely call a bathroom plumber to take care of the problem early. Addressing issues before they get severe can save you money and potentially avert disaster.

3. Unclog Your Exhaust Fan

The bathroom exhaust fan is easy to neglect, but it’s an important part of your bathroom that controls humidity levels and odors. It’s easy for dust and dirt to collect in the closed, humid environment of the bathroom. Exhaust fans usually have a dust filter that needs to be cleaned once every month or two. After cleaning the filter, tidy up the intake panel with a vacuum cleaner. Doing this every once in a while will help make sure your bathroom keeps being a pleasant place to be.

4. Scrub Your Stoppers

Hair, soap and other debris collect on your stoppers and leads to clogs. Avoid harsh drain-cleaning chemicals by keeping your bathtub and sink stoppers clean. Whenever you clean your bathroom, remove the stoppers and brush off dirt and debris. Then soak the stoppers in a bath of vinegar, scrub with a soft sponge and rinse thoroughly before replacing them. Consider using hair traps to reduce clogs and make cleaning your stoppers easier.

Staying on top of bathroom maintenance can save you money on costly repairs by preventing issues or catching them early. Simple things, like checking your caulk, testing your toilet, unclogging and cleaning out your exhaust fan, and scrubbing your stoppers can keep your restroom in great shape. Set aside one day each month to take care of these cleaning and maintenance tasks in the bathroom. Taking that time can help avoid disaster in the future.