The Homeowner’s Guide to Building Maintenance – All you Need to Know

If you are the proud owner of your very first home, there is indeed much to learn, and property maintenance is an integral part of home ownership. In this article, we will offer tips and advice to help ensure that your home is always in good order.

• Drainage – No homeowner should have to experience a blocked drain, but it can, and does happen, and in such a case, the best solution is to call in a professional drain cleaning contractor, who can locate the blockage, remove it and power flush the system to ensure a free flow. If you wish to take preventative measures, install wire mesh grills over all sink, bath and shower plugholes, which will trap soap residue and human hair, which are often the cause of a blocked drain.
• Pest Control – While you might not have a pest problem at the moment, rodents could set up home at any time, and there is residential pest control in Brisbane and storing their number in your smartphone is a wise move. As you will already know, there are some very dangerous spiders in Australia, and if you see one, rather than take a chance, you are advised to call in a local pest control company, who have the know-how and the equipment to resolve the issue.
• Roof Maintenance – The roof is the most important component of any house, as it protects against the harsh elements, and an annual roof inspection will ensure that any minor issues are dealt with promptly and this should help you to avoid costly roof repairs. A roof inspection would involve a detailed inspection, replacing any missing or broken roof tiles, plus the contractor would clean out the guttering, which is an essential escape route for excess rainwater. You might think a missing roof tile is nothing to worry about, yet a few heavy rainstorms will result in serious internal damage, affecting the joists and rafters, not to mention the plaster ceilings. Click here for information to help you find a reliable roofer, which might come in handy one day.
• Plumbing – The typical two-storey house has a network of water pipes that run through the building, and they should be inspected on a regular basis. An inspection would reveal any leaking or corroded joints, and do keep an eye out for tell-tale signs of damp, stains of the ceilings or walls, and if you do have a leaking pipe, it should be dealt with as soon as possible.
• Timber Preservation – All timber should be protected and you may have to re-seal your decking every couple of years, or any exterior timber such as cladding, as the harsh Australian climate takes its toll on any form of timber. It is always a good idea to have your home inspected for dampness, as this could cause serious damage if left unaddressed, and there are damp-proofing specialists online of you need such a service.
• Climate Control – Most Australian homes have an HVAC system installed that provides heat or cools the interior of the home, and this needs an annual service, which should be carried out in the autumn, prior to the arrival of the cold months. The company that installed the system would offer a comprehensive maintenance service, and the older the system, the more likely there are to be issues.
• Exterior Areas – The driveway might require a little repair now and then, as might your pathways and terrace, and you should carry out a thorough inspection of the exterior of the property every few months. Look for any sign of paint peeling or corrosion, as the harsh weather can really cause exterior materials, and you might want to consider rendering the exterior of your home, which will protect and insulate.
• Electrical System – Regular inspection is the key to making sure your electrics are in good order, and if you call in an electrician for any reason, ask them to inspect the system for peace of mind. Here are some basic energy tips for the homeowner, which will help to reduce the amount of energy you use.
• Garden Maintenance – Regardless of the layout, you want things to be neat and tidy, and if you don’t have the time to cut the grass and trim the hedges, your local landscape gardener would be happy to add you to his list of garden maintenance contracts. It might be a monthly visit, or perhaps every week, and when you are going to entertain, the gardener can pop round the day before.

Running a family home requires organisation and planning, with regular building inspections, and storing all emergency services numbers in your phone, you will be ready for a domestic issue that might arise. Be observant and take the time to walk the exterior every few weeks, and remember that any issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible.

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