If you have signed on the dotted line and are now the proud owner of your first property, we send a big congrats! This is a milestone in everyone’s life, and with your foot on the property ladder, you can start building some real estate equity. Of course, you do need to take good care of your new investment, and with that in mind, here is a guide to building maintenance.
Building Maintenance Guide: What New Homeowners Should Know?
Here, in this building maintenance guide, we will mention top 9 things you should do to take good care of your newly bought property.
Utilities
Every home has utilities, like water, electricity, waste management, telephone & Internet, to name the main ones. A few critical systems in your home, i.e., the plumbing, drainage, and electricity, could malfunction at no time. We recommend taking a walking tour of the property every week. Try to pay the close attention to walls and ceilings, and look for damp patches and signs of leaking pipes or joints. Water is important for life, but it can damage a building, and should you experience a burst water pipe, shut down the water supply fast.
Please find a local company that provides domestic & commercial plumbing and save their emergency call-out number. Also, check to see if they have a call-out charge or not. Some do not, and that will save you from the happening of a plumbing emergency. We recommend pre-sourcing all utility service companies; should you ever be in need, you have the number.
Drainage
Every house is attached to the central sewage system that runs underground. Should you ever experience a drain jam, we don’t recommend trying to unblock it yourself. Since this often compounds the problem rather than fixing it. The drain expert runs a go-anywhere CCTV buggy, which gives the engineer a close-up view of the inner surfaces of your drainage system.
The most challenging part about unblocking a drain is locating the blockage, which is why you should leave it to the professionals. If you need to call out a drain expert, ask them to power flush the entire system, preventing future blockages. Moreover, they will give you a thorough report of the condition of your drainage system.
Roof Maintenance
Of course, the roof is the most important part of your home. Since it protects the interior from the harsh elements. It is impossible to see all roofs from the ground. Homeowners must ask a local roofer to inspect the roof yearly. That includes checking all roof tiles are in place, cleaning out the guttering, and looking for the signs of potential issues.
If you are missing a few tiles, the sooner you replace them, the better. Once the rainwater can enter the internal, it causes damage to both plaster and timber. So, check the upstairs ceilings for damp repairs, which would be a sign of a leak. Cleaning out the guttering is important. This is an escape channel for excess rainwater. So, a blockage will send water cascading down the exterior walls, which causes damage to the brickwork or rendering. If you have trees overhanging, the guttering will likely need regular cleaning.
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Rising Damp
This can cause severe damage to a building, and old properties are more likely to have damp issues. Try to call in a damp expert and have them survey the property. Then, you’ll have peace of mind. Dry or wet rot is a homeowner’s nightmare, while insects like termites can start consuming your home.
You shouldn’t need to worry if the house is new, but an old property requires an initial survey to confirm there are no damp issues. Source a local pest control company and have them inspect the property, which should suffice.
Regular Inspections
Structures are sensitive to deterioration over time. So, with regular inspections, you will get a heads-up before too much damage is done. Your local builder can perform a thorough inspection in a couple of hours, and it is a wise investment for what it costs.
Dealing with Emergencies
In an ideal world, emergencies are few and far between. Still, if you have an urgent need for a plumber, electrician, or drainage expert, a Google search will find a local provider who can be there within a few minutes.
Water leaks demand shutting down the water supply, and you could clear the area to be worked, if known, that is. If your electricity supply is down and the safety cut switch is turned off, then turn it on again. If it trips immediately, you have a short circuit somewhere.
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Minor Repairs
It is a good idea to list minor issues. A local handyman can handle 3-4 things in a single visit. Of course, you can go the DIY way. If you can do the work. As a general rule, repairs should be done fast to minimize the damages. Whatever the issue is, it won’t miraculously fix itself!
Most people slowly develop the know-how and the tools to improve the minor problems around the house. That can save you a lot of money. Moreover, after a few years, you can move on to home improvement jobs and raise the value of your investment.
Climate Control
Whether you have a state-of-the-art HVAC system or heating and a/c, the building system demands regular maintenance to perform. Filters must be cleaned, and compressors checked. A local HVAC engineer can carry out a service in a couple of hours. Also, they will ensure that all is in good condition.
If your energy bills are high, look for ways to reduce energy consumption, double glazing, extra roof insulation, or even consider solar panels.
Maintenance Repair Board
You could have a small board in the kitchen where you can make notes of small things for future check or repair. This will remind you to do something about it. There is a lot involved with building repairs, and regular inspections are suggested.
We hope that building maintenance guide will help you get to grips with caring for your new home.
Also Check: How To Choose The Right Roofing Material?
Image by Spencer Wing and iqbal nuril anwar
