10 Key Areas to Maintain to Avoid Costly Damages
Throughout the life of any home or office building, you will start to notice small signs of wear. Knowing how to recognize these signs early and dealing with them immediately is the key to making sure they do not develop into larger problems later on. By keeping an eye on the areas of your home that need to most attention, you can stop big damages in their tracks and avoid spending serious money on major repairs.
Watch out for leaks!
Basement
Your basement is the one area in your home or office that is most in danger of mold and water damage. Keep an eye out for chipped and peeling paint, as this can be a sign of impending damages. You can avoid this problem by keeping your downspouts cleaned out regularly.
Is there mold hiding here?
Attic & Roof
Another area in your home or office that is in danger of developing mold and mildew is the attic. You should inspect your roof and the inside of your attic at least once every 6 months to check for signs that mold or mildew is starting to develop, and repair any damages or leaks in your roof as soon as they occur.
Clean Gutters are Happy Gutters!
Gutters
If your gutters become clogged or damaged, they can cause water to leak into unwanted areas of your home, leading to flooded basements or wet flooring. You should clean out your gutters at least once every 6 months, and remember to check that they are not loose or damaged while you’re up there.
Is that a crack?
Windows
Loose or damaged windows can invite a laundry list of problems. They can allow weather and pests to more easily get inside your home or office, cause higher heating and cooling costs, and even contribute to an increased risk of burglary. You can ward against all of these problems by keeping an eye on the caulking around each window and replacing any damaged caulk that you find. Of course, if you have a window with busted glass, you’ll want to get it repaired as soon as possible.
Big luxury bathroom, big luxury pipe system
Bathrooms
Anytime you’ve got so many pipes in one place, you’re bound to find signs of trouble eventually. Leaky or dripping faucets, clogged or running toilets, or faulty pipes are all possible to catch and remedy before they become very big, very expensive repair needs. Make sure to check on all of your pipes, tighten any loose connections, and replaced any pipes that have gone bad regularly.
Do you smell something burning?
Fireplace
Fireplaces are great way to make any space more inviting, but there are some concerns related to keeping a working fireplace that you should stay on top off. One major problem is that they can potentially cause a rise in carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, within the air. It’s hard to tell this is happening until it is too late, so you should be sure to install carbon monoxide detectors close to any fireplace that you use. Another concern is that any damage or blockage in the chimney can produce a serious risk to the safety of your home or office, so you should make sure that the chimney is cleaned regularly and in good repair.
When was the last time you changed your filter?
Heating & Air Conditioning Systems
This may come as a surprise, but not everyone replaces their air filters as often as they should. I know, shocking. Remember to change out your air filters at least once every 3 months so that they don’t get clogged (and stop doing their job). This will improve the performance of your HVAC unit and help to avoid major problems and repair costs.
Pipes, Pipes everywhere!
Sewers & Pipes
Here we are, back at pipes again. Clogged up drains and faulty pipes really are the most common day to day problems in many homes and offices. Sometimes, the problem you see on the surface is caused by something much deeper. If you have drains that are clogged or running slowly, get yourself a pipe snake to help you really get down into the pipes and clean out any issues.
Safety First!
Electrical
Many homes and offices, especially those on the older side, are missing some of the basic electrical safety measures that are available today. If you have any two pronged outlets, make sure that you replace them so that all of your appliances are properly grounded. Also, remember to check your light bulbs periodically to make sure that they haven’t become loose.
Small jobs prevent big problems.
Exterior Walls
Any time there are slight damages to the outside walls of your home, be sure the patch them up and repaint them immediately. What looks like simple cosmetic damage to you could turn into a more serious problem if left alone.
Every home or office has it quirks, but you can keep any building in good repair and avoid costly repairs much longer by taking care of these key areas with simple and easy maintenance.