Home Maintenance Tips
If you’ve gotten on the property ladder, then you know that owning a house isn’t cost-free. We’re not even talking about the mortgage – simple home maintenance can end up costing you quite a bit of money if you aren’t careful. While home repairs can seem rather difficult and daunting, hiring a professional to do simple DIY jobs can add an extra 40% to your costs. In the long run, this can amount to a lot of money that you could have rather spent n downsizing that mortgage or going on a holiday. So, before you start looking for a builder, check out these simple home maintenance tips to save you time and money.
Things to do a few times a year
A proper clean-up around the house doesn’t necessarily count as maintenance, but it’s surprisingly powerful way to keep things running smoother. Aside from your weekly clean, do a ‘full-on’ clean-up twice a year and wash all the surfaces (including ceiling). Clear filters and wash your appliances such as the coffee maker, washing machine and the oven. Do a proper clean up in the bathroom as well and dust all the surfaces around the house.
Clean your air conditioner grill at least twice a year, and remove your kitchen exhaust hood and give it a proper clean. You can even replace it once a year if it gets dirty.
If you use extension cords, check their condition. Check all your electronics as well and exchange or replace any cords that look damaged or worn out.
Check the condition of the caulk line of your windows to ensure you don’t suffer from a draft. If the seal is not holding up, you can insulate the window film easily.
Run a de-clogging mixture along your pipes, especially in the kitchen and the bathroom. If you have a guest bathroom that you hardly use, remember to occasionally run water in the taps and flush the toilet. This prevents grime from building up.
Bleed your radiators and check they are heating evenly. Have your boiler serviced annually by a professional.
Things to do once a year
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Clean them up and replace batteries if needed. Be aware of the last use date – most smoke detectors only last around 10 years, even if you change the batteries regularly.
Go around the house and tighten any screws and bolts that seem loose. You should do this with faucets and pipes as well.
Vacuum the condenser coils, which are typically located at the back of your fridge. It’s a good idea to remove the fridge once a year and sweep the area behind it well.
Whilst you don’t need to paint all the surfaces every year, you can go around the house annually and do a few light paint touches here and there. This can guarantee the house looks fresher and it can keep things cleaner.
If you have a roof, check the condition of the roof at least once a year. If there’s been a big storm, you might also want to give it a check to ensure a small fracture doesn’t turn into a bigger problem later on.
How to prepare for home maintenance?
When it comes to keeping your home in check, the right equipment can be crucial. You want to ensure your cleaning products and tools are not only fun and easy to use, but won’t break down. You should also invest in some proper tools to be able to fix small DIY issues, such as leaking faucets and so on. You want to invest in proper brand tools and find tools with warranty. If you don’t want to spend a fortune on tools, utilise voucher codes for online specialists like toolstop.co.uk. You’ll be able to get builder-approved tools without spending a fortune.
Once you have a problem or an issue that needs resolving, take a moment to analyse the situation. Is it an emergency? If the water is gushing through the pipes and you have no idea what to do, call a professional. If the gutter seems blocked, but poses no immediate danger, consider fixing it yourself instead. Analyse the situation and think what needs to be done. Check online blogs for tips and watch a few relevant DIY videos. If you feel confident to manage the DIY, give it a go. If you can cause more harm trying it and you have no confidence in your ability to fix it, just call a professional!
With the above maintenance tips, your home shouldn’t encounter too many regular issues. Of course, you might occasionally run into trouble – just take a moment to understand the issue and seek help if needed, and if you need more information regarding house cleaning just click here.
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