Owning a home is a privilege. You’re likely to pay less on your mortgage payments than you would on rent and, even better, you get a physical asset out of your payments by the end of the day.
Also, when you own your property, you have complete control over how you treat it. But this can be a double-edged sword. You can decorate your property however you like, and you can also complete renovations to increase your property value or suit your family’s needs. On the other hand, this means that you are responsible for your home’s maintenance.
When you rent a property, the landlord has to inspect and maintain the property. In an ideal world, this means that issues get repaired quickly, although some landlords aren’t as conscientious as others. If you noticed an issue in a rented property, all you can do is tell the landlord and, hopefully, they will deal with it quickly.
However, when you’re the homeowner, you have to take charge of all needed maintenance jobs and repairs. This allows your property to keep its value and, more importantly, means that your home remains a safe and enjoyable place to live.
Your Home Maintenance Checklist
One of the difficulties with keeping your home maintained is keeping on top of what needs doing and when. Yes, you can fix problems as and when they arise, but this isn’t the best way to maintain your home.
Rather than waiting for something to break, it’s usually far cheaper and less stressful to prevent a break in the first place. This is especially true when it comes to your plumbing, electric systems, or the structure of your home. When these things break, they often cause more damage to the rest of your home that you have to repair, and it can even be dangerous for your family. An electrical fire caused by faulty outlets is no joke.
With this in mind, one of the most effective ways to keep on top of your home maintenance needs is to come up with a home maintenance checklist. This allows you to plan ahead and regularly get your property checked out by professionals, hopefully preventing any issues from cropping up.
Some jobs are better tackled at certain times of the year, but the most important thing is that you get them checked out regularly.
One of the difficulties with keeping your home maintained is keeping on top of what needs doing and when. Yes, you can fix problems as and when they arise, but this isn’t the best way to maintain your home.
Rather than waiting for something to break, it’s usually far cheaper and less stressful to prevent a break in the first place. This is especially true when it comes to your plumbing, electric systems, or the structure of your home. When these things break, they often cause more damage to the rest of your home that you have to repair, and it can even be dangerous for your family. An electrical fire caused by faulty outlets is no joke.
With this in mind, one of the most effective ways to keep on top of your home maintenance needs is to come up with a home maintenance checklist. This allows you to plan ahead and regularly get your property checked out by professionals, hopefully preventing any issues from cropping up.
Some jobs are better tackled at certain times of the year, but the most important thing is that you get them checked out regularly.
Roof and Walls
The structural stability of your home may change over time. It can take a long time for problems to develop, but it’s always important to discover structural issues as soon as possible so you can fix them before they get any worse. In extreme cases, structural problems can lead to collapse and an unsafe living environment.
You should get your roof checked out after storms or harsh weather. A new roof should last a decade or two, but if it’s damaged, this lifespan will be decreased. Storms can damage or remove roof tiles, which can leave your home vulnerable to leaks. Even a minor leak can lead to water damage and increased utility costs over time.
Look out for cracks and damp, as these are signs of structural damage and can lead to further issues. Damp is a common issue, and if you notice it in your home, you should get it checked out to make sure it isn’t caused by issues with your walls.
As well as looking unsightly, damp can lead to mold in your home. Mold, especially once it's built up, can be dangerous to anyone living there. If you or a family member has breathing issues, such as asthma, then mold can worsen these health conditions. Even if you’re healthy, it’s never a good idea to breathe in mold. You should look into mold remediation as soon as possible to clear it up and hopefully find a way to prevent it from building up again.
The structural stability of your home may change over time. It can take a long time for problems to develop, but it’s always important to discover structural issues as soon as possible so you can fix them before they get any worse. In extreme cases, structural problems can lead to collapse and an unsafe living environment.
You should get your roof checked out after storms or harsh weather. A new roof should last a decade or two, but if it’s damaged, this lifespan will be decreased. Storms can damage or remove roof tiles, which can leave your home vulnerable to leaks. Even a minor leak can lead to water damage and increased utility costs over time.
Look out for cracks and damp, as these are signs of structural damage and can lead to further issues. Damp is a common issue, and if you notice it in your home, you should get it checked out to make sure it isn’t caused by issues with your walls.
As well as looking unsightly, damp can lead to mold in your home. Mold, especially once it's built up, can be dangerous to anyone living there. If you or a family member has breathing issues, such as asthma, then mold can worsen these health conditions. Even if you’re healthy, it’s never a good idea to breathe in mold. You should look into mold remediation as soon as possible to clear it up and hopefully find a way to prevent it from building up again.
Windows and Doors
Another potential avenue for damp and leaks are the doors and windows in your property. If the sealant around your doors and windows has failed, then cold air and water can find their way into your home. In the worst-case scenario, this can lead to damage.
However, in most cases, this will simply cause drafts and make it harder to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When utilities are already more expensive than you’d like, this added cost is never a good thing.
Replacing your doors and windows doesn’t just make your home look nicer, although that’s always a good added bonus, it can also cut down on your utility bills. This saves you money and helps you to do your bit for the environment, as you are using less energy.
Another potential avenue for damp and leaks are the doors and windows in your property. If the sealant around your doors and windows has failed, then cold air and water can find their way into your home. In the worst-case scenario, this can lead to damage.
However, in most cases, this will simply cause drafts and make it harder to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When utilities are already more expensive than you’d like, this added cost is never a good thing.
Replacing your doors and windows doesn’t just make your home look nicer, although that’s always a good added bonus, it can also cut down on your utility bills. This saves you money and helps you to do your bit for the environment, as you are using less energy.
Exterior Maintenance
As well as maintaining the house itself, you should also look after any land attached to your property. If you neglect your backyard, you can welcome pests onto your property, which will then cause more problems. Not only that, but you’re essentially wasting some potentially great space.
Clear out your backyard and any storage sheds during spring, so that you can use them in the summer. Consider landscaping to create an outside environment that your family will enjoy the most. Whether this involves a vegetable garden, a paved area for barbecues, or even a swimming pool, the important thing is to get the most out of your exterior space.
As well as maintaining the house itself, you should also look after any land attached to your property. If you neglect your backyard, you can welcome pests onto your property, which will then cause more problems. Not only that, but you’re essentially wasting some potentially great space.
Clear out your backyard and any storage sheds during spring, so that you can use them in the summer. Consider landscaping to create an outside environment that your family will enjoy the most. Whether this involves a vegetable garden, a paved area for barbecues, or even a swimming pool, the important thing is to get the most out of your exterior space.
Plumbing and Electrical Systems
As well as the big jobs, you should regularly get your plumbing and electrical systems checked out by trained professionals. This isn’t something that you can just tackle yourself as, if something goes wrong, it can cause a lot of damage.
If you ever smell smoke when using an outlet or notice strange drops or surges in power, stop using your electricity and call an electrician right away. It’s inconvenient, but acting quickly can save your home from a nasty electrical fire.
Plumbing issues might not be as directly dangerous, but a flood can be incredibly damaging to your property and possessions. Act quickly and you can save yourself stress and money.
As well as the big jobs, you should regularly get your plumbing and electrical systems checked out by trained professionals. This isn’t something that you can just tackle yourself as, if something goes wrong, it can cause a lot of damage.
If you ever smell smoke when using an outlet or notice strange drops or surges in power, stop using your electricity and call an electrician right away. It’s inconvenient, but acting quickly can save your home from a nasty electrical fire.
Plumbing issues might not be as directly dangerous, but a flood can be incredibly damaging to your property and possessions. Act quickly and you can save yourself stress and money.
| FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love reading and responding to comments but in order to get my reply you must ensure you are NOT a no-reply blogger. If you are, here are some quick steps to change that!
1. Go to the home page of your Blogger account.
2. Select the drop down beside your name on the top right corner and choose Blogger Profile.
3. Select Edit Profile at the top right.
4. Select the Show My Email Address box.
5. Hit Save Profile.