Home Maintenance Tips

Moving into your new home is an exciting milestone. However, even though your new house seems to have everything in working order now, it’s going to need your input to stay that way. That’s why it’s vital to perform regular home maintenance on all the areas of your house to ensure it remains in tip-top condition.
 

Remember, a bit of maintenance may prevent the need for expensive repairs – so keeping things well maintained, rather than waiting until they break, is going to cost you much less in the long run too.
 

From Top to Bottom

There are several areas of your home that need regular upkeep and inspections. For example, your walls and ceiling should be checked for damp regularly – any evidence of dampness should be investigated immediately to prevent further damage. If you have pets and carpeting, you’ll want to have the rugs and floor coverings deep-cleaned at least twice a year. Whether you choose to do this yourself or get a professional company in to do the work is entirely up to you.
 

Other areas of your house that will need regular maintenance work include:
 

• Bathroom – Lime scale builds up between the tiles, on the glass of your shower, your mirror and around the bath itself which becomes unsightly and unhygienic if left untreated. To clean your bathroom properly, try making a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water and apply to the affected area, scrubbing well to remove the lime scale. Additionally, to keep drains clear of blockages, pour half a cup of bicarbonate of soda first followed by an equal amount of white vinegar and a kettle of hot water.
   

• Garden – Mow your grass regularly, keep trees and hedges trimmed back and make sure the roots of trees don’t compromise the integrity of any walls. Keep any stone walkways free of moss and grass build up to prevent a slipping hazard. Keeping your garden well maintained makes it a great place for your family to spend time outdoors and for you to entertain – as well as discouraging things like mice or snakes from making their home too close to your house.
   

• Kitchen – There’s no denying the annoyance that creaking or skew cupboard doors cause, so be sure to oil or straighten hinges as soon as they start to cause problems. Additionally, inspect shelving brackets as these can loosen over time under the weight of the shelf as well as extractor fans and drains need to be cleaned regularly to avoid grime build-up. Also check the area surrounding your kitchen sink regularly for leaks – wooden or chipboard shelves and doors will absorb water and start rotting quickly, so make sure everything stays as dry as possible.
   

• Outdoor structures – Check the roof tiles every six months and replace any that are cracked or broken. It’s especially important to do this before the rainy season sets in. Clear gutters and outdoor drains of leaves and debris every few months to avoid flooding and make sure retaining walls are well maintained and that your fence is sound.
   

Your Home and Investment

At SA Home Loans, we know how much it means to our clients to get their dream home. Keeping it in good condition will maintain its value and protect your investment, so ongoing maintenance is an important part of home ownership.