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Home maintenance may not be the most fun thing to do, but it is very important to check the state of your home and anticipate any possible issues.
Here are some tips to help you stay on top of things and keep your home looking as good as new. Because the good life is also about taking care of the place where we live.
Interior maintenance of the home
If you want to live more comfortably, if you want to feel safer, if you want your home to be your favourite place… the interior maintenance of your home is essential for all of this. Take note:
Insects and pests
You are not the only one who likes your home. Termites, ants, cockroaches, bees, and even mice might like it too! Certain small pests, such as a trail of ants, can be solved with a can of spray and a thorough cleaning of the area. Others, such as termites, require professional assistance.
Take action before it’s too late by sealing any holes where bugs could enter. Protect mattresses against bedbugs, check the storage room regularly, pay attention to strange sounds coming from air-conditioning ducts…
Power sockets
Check the plugs and sockets in your home at least once a year. Some may no longer work or may be faulty and could be dangerous. Have them repaired by a professional electrician. Do not jump into doing it yourself and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Seals
When shower, sink, toilet or tile seals become dirty, not only do they make our home look bad, but they can also be an ideal environment for the proliferation of mould and damp.
You have two options: replace the putty with a new one, or clean the one you have. You can do this with a bleach solution, which will whiten the area for a while. If you prefer to replace the putty, keep in mind that ideally this should be done every 5 years or so. The good news? Caulking guns available on the market make the task much easier.
Keep an eye on the ceiling
Sometimes we forget to look up, but keeping the ceilings of our house in good shape is essential. This is not only for the structural safety of the house, but also for systems such as heating and air conditioning to work properly and to avoid leaks that cause damage due to excess humidity. We recommend having your roof inspected by a professional about twice a year.
Maintenance of systems and appliances
Our home is full of ducts and systems that make it habitable. Therefore, it is essential that they work properly.
Detectors and alarms
Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Although they may seem like a minor thing, they can save your life in the event of a leak! Change the batteries once a year or go for smart detectors, which are connected in all areas of the house and alert you with alarms, messages and voice signals.
Pipes
Check pipes, including those under sinks and toilets, to make sure there are no leaks. Don’t forget the ceilings, where damp patches often form if there is a water leak in the wall. Remember to check taps too, because what may seem like a simple drip could turn into something worse. Similarly, the toilet tank can also be a major leakage point.
Filters
Clogged filters can make heating and cooling systems less efficient, wasting energy and money. They can also build up pollutants and allergens that are harmful to your health.
Turn off the air conditioning systems, remove the filters and inspect them. If they are dirty, you can find replacements in hardware stores or online. We recommend that you check them upon moving in and once a year thereafter.
If you also have a chimney, check it regularly, even if you don’t use it much, as they carry toxic fumes.
Boilers and radiators
We recommend that you have your boiler checked at least once a year by a boiler technician. It is also important to drain the water from the boiler to remove any sediment that has accumulated in the tank. And don’t forget the radiators, whose valves should be working properly (you may need to bleed them). Also check your thermostat.
Exterior maintenance of your home
It’s great that your house looks nice, of course. But exterior maintenance of your home is much more than that. For example:
Windows
In the colder months, much of the heat inside the house is lost through the windows. Therefore, checking the areas around windows and caulking them can help you avoid this problem.
Contact a professional to find out what type of sealant is right for your windows so that it lasts as long as possible. And when applying caulk, make sure all surfaces are clean and dry.
Siding and paint
If you have a single-family home, cleaning the siding at least twice a year (best in spring and autumn) will not only make it look nicer, but also prolong its life. Especially if the siding is made of wood. Cleaning keeps moisture and possible rot at bay.
Air conditioning
It’s not just the air conditioning inside your home that you need to check. The outdoor unit is also important. Carefully remove any debris that may have accumulated, and use a brush or hoover to remove the smaller, stubborn debris. Air-conditioning machines are notorious for making the facades look ugly, so keeping it clean is essential, also to avoid wasting energy and to extend its life span.
Now that you know how to improve home maintenance, it’s time to get down to work. If you need advice or need to contact professionals, Sonneil can help you.
Enjoying a safe home is easier than you think!
