Owning a home is a big responsibility and let’s face it, maintaining such a valuable asset should be a priority. In this short article, we outline the many different maintenance tasks that every homeowner should know.
The importance of regular inspections
From the roof to the basement, regular inspections will reveal any minor issues that can be promptly dealt with. The roof is the most important component of the structure, as it protects against the harsh weather we often experience; a typical roof inspection would include checking roof tiles, looking for missing or broken tiles, inspecting soffit and fascia boards and cleaning out the guttering. You should walk around the exterior of the house, inspecting all surfaces; brick, concrete, timber or any other material; it might be that your rendering needs some trowel work, while wooden window frames do need to be coated with a preservative. When we rent HDB in Singapore, we don’t have to worry about building issues, as the landlord handles that; once you become a property owner, everything changes.
Prompt repairs
There are some things about this world that are irrefutable; we are born, we die and we all have to pay taxes; another constant is that property damage gets worse as time passes. The sooner you repair that broken guttering, the better. Many homeowners take a proactive approach to house maintenance by pre-sourcing all the essential services they might need. The harsh elements cause building degradation and by using products that protect materials, you can slow down the degradation. You can, for example, have your roof protected with a layer of silicone, while rendering can also be protected in the same way. Click here for a few great basement layout ideas.
Pre-source essential home services
The smart homeowner forges a relationship with a local:
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Roofing contractor
- Drain unblocker
- Landscape gardener
Make sure the contractor doesn’t charge a call-out fee and that they have a good reputation locally and by storing their emergency number in your smartphone, you are ready for anything!
DIY maintenance
Some homeowners are good with their hands and armed with a full set of tools and the right equipment, you can fix most things; however, when it comes to something you have no experience with, it is better to call a tradesman. When you hire a professional to do a job, they guarantee their work, so there’s no need to worry.
Drains
The drainage system in your home is a network of pipes and joints and if there is a blockage, this usually means a foul smell and that is the time to call in a plumber who unblocks drains. They have CCTV buggies that they send down the drain to get a close up of the blockage and with a power jet wash, you reduce the risk of further blockages.
Home maintenance is an essential aspect of property ownership and we hope this article helps you to ensure that your home is always in good condition.
