Pro-tips to minimise home maintenance errs!
Home maintenance is more than mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming. It goes beyond regular chores and needs attention from time to time. From plumbing to electrical, everything that is vital for comfortable and healthy living needs to be looked after and ensured that they are always working at their best.
But most of us tend to miss on the basic repairs and upkeeps due to lack of time and busy life which lead to poor maintenance of the house. In this article, we’ll share some handy tips that will simplify home maintenance.
Keeping an eye on faucets, plumbing issues
Over time, faucets can become leaky and rusty. When this goes unchecked, the repairs can cost you a lot of money. Hence, it is prudent to check the faucets at least once in two months. Other plumbing-related issues such as drain, water heater, and pipes should also be checked often.
Keep clogged gutters at bay
When storm drain pipes aren’t unclogged often, the dirty water will overflow. This will erode the foundation, and the waterlogging can flood the gated community’s pathway, basements/parking. To avoid this, take professional help and clean the gutters at least twice or thrice a year.
Maintain appliances
Make some time to check your home appliances like air conditioner, refrigerator, fans, etc, and service them regularly so they don’t run into trouble. When not serviced regularly, they’ll malfunction or stop functioning altogether, and the replacement expenses can burn a hole in your pocket.
Well-maintained tanks and roofs
Water tanks are more susceptible to water damage. Incorrect and improper flashing, wind damage, storm, or faulty roofing can cause roof leakage. Water tanks should be cleaned often and cleared of algae, rust, bugs, dirt, etc. It should be checked especially before and during monsoon and corrected soon if any issue should be done. This will save you a fortune in the long run.
Pay attention to electrical wiring
Though faulty or broken electrical wirings are a common issue we seldom look into it unless we experience blackouts, burning smells, or broken switchboards. To avoid this, install branded wirings and switchboard at the beginning itself even if it is slightly on the pricier end since they tend to last long. Whenever possible, check circuit breakers to ensure wires are all intact.
Exterior care matters too
Weather condition rapidly affects the exterior of the house. Go for rainproof paints and seal cracks and chips once in a year or two. If this goes unchecked, the water will seep through walls eventually eroding the building. Likewise, paint your house, both exterior and interior, once in five years.
Taking care of windows and doors
Loose and creaky windows/doors may not pose an immediate threat but when not taken care of properly, they can cause a lot of trouble in the long run. If you notice dust owing to termite or creaking, oil or grease them up. Likewise, clean and often inspect the mesh or shutters installed in the balconies too. Else, birds/bird feathers and rodents may get in.
Clean, clean, and clean!
When we say clean, we are not only referring to floors or generic cleaning but also attic cleaning. When the attic collects dust or mold, it can become a breeding ground for rodents, insects, and reptiles. This can cause health issues too. So, clean the attic!
Cleaning agent and toolkit
To maintain a house properly, you need more than water and soap. Stock your house with proper gloves, goggles, microfibre cloth, the correct mixture of acids and chemicals for cleaning. Similarly, have a toolbox that has spare nails, screwdrivers, hammers, tape, utility scissors and knife, glue, etc. These will come in handy when you need to quickly fix something.
By using the ApnaComplex app, you can effortlessly hire experts to fix your home, raise complaints if you encounter an issue and auto-escalate it, and do much more. ApnaComplex will also help you to set early maintenance reminders on common society assets such as lifts and other equipment. To know more about the app or to schedule a free demo, kindly visit https://bit.ly/371rCxL.
The next thing you need to do is clean up the balcony. Remove the clutter that has been lying around. Keep a lookout for cobwebs and dust bunnies that may have appeared in the unused space. Put up nails and hooks wherever you may need them. Remember to check the wiring and sockets that can be used. If you want to go the extra mile why not try hand painting the wall for extra flair?
Another dramatic addition you can make to your balcony garden is vines and creepers. If you want to add an aura of magic and fairy tales to your space, this is the way to go. Just remember, vines take a little extra effort to maintain. Team it up with your vertical garden and it can make a striking impression.
One of the most effective ways of creating a low-maintenance garden is through terrariums. A terrarium is a glass container with a plant growing inside. It is a usually self-sustaining ecosystem. The evaporated water condenses on the surface of the glass and waters the plant over and over again. Once in place, it requires almost no help to grow. All you need to do is open up the container every so often to fertilize or trim your plants.
Do not forget to add some outdoor furniture to the mix. Your balcony could be used for anything from reading to meditation. Seats and throw cushions can help create a comfortable nook. Outdoor swings are an ever-popular choice in India. Choose quick dry foam cushions to avoid rain damage. Make sure whatever furniture you place outside is weather resistant or coated with oil paint.
