Preventative Home Maintenance

Regular and preventative maintenance is the key to preserving the safety, beauty and function in your home and in essence is and inevitable part of owning real estate. Keeping up on these small tasks will be worth the while in the long run. Seasonal home maintenance will reduce having major work and expenses all at one time or even worse, when something major goes wrong or breaks, causing hefty sums of money being spent and endless hours of trouble in renovations.

Preventative home maintenance helps keep the value of your property. By investing money now and ensuring your home remains in tip top condition, you will more than likely get the asking price when selling it, as little or no work will need to be done by the new owners.

The outside of your home needs to be checked before the harsh winter takes it toll and inside must be done to prevent heat from escaping thus reducing heating bills and energy consumption.

It is easy to carry out regular inspection and maintenance as long as you have a good plan in place to dictate exactly what needs to be done when as every season entails its own maintenance requirements. With winter just around the corner, here are some tasks which need to be done during autumn.

Gutters

Winter may not be the rainy season in many places in South Africa, but if you live in a place like Cape Town, with the rainy season being winter, there is no doubt that downpours will affect even the cleanest gutter. Leaves become a nuisance as they clog gutters causing water to run over the edges which can cause possible roof damage. It is also important to replace any missing gutters or pieces of gutters so that water doesn’t collect near the foundation of your house. Gutters as well as down spouts need to be checked for any rust damage or wear due to corrosion.
Discard any leave piles that have been raked up as insects live and breed in them during the winter months.

Doors and Windows

Check all doors and windows for cracks and leaks and ensure there are no gaps between door or window and the frame. Heat escapes from these fissures as well as allows the cold to penetrate inside requiring extra heating which can be costly. Make certain there is no window putty that needs replacing due to cracks or breaks.

Roof

A home’s roof should be inspected for missing tiles, or openings at least once a year. Tree branches need to be cut back, away from the roof as these branches with the help of the wind, scratches and wears the roof causing damage. Leaves and branches can also get into roof with the like of animals who build homes in the tree branches, giving them easy access onto and even into your roof. Should you live in an area where your winter months become quite windy, make sure that the supports of TV aerials and satellite dishes are firmly in place.

Walls and Foundations

Check for cracks, termite, and mould damage and repair accordingly. Outdoor steps need to be repaired if there are any broken tiles or bricks.

Fireplace

Clean out the fireplace and get it ready for chilly winter nights. If you have an open wood burning fire, chop some extra wood and store it so that when that unexpected cold snap hits you are prepared. It is imperative that the chimney is checked for missing bricks or tiles, as well as any blockages from the dormant season. Often birds can make nests or leaves and debris collect over the year and needs to be swept out. Should your chimney be metal check it for any rust damage. Ensure the rain cap of chimney is not cracked, warn or broken and will serve its function for yet another year. Indoor heating and cooling systems (like the wall mounted ones which operate as an air-conditioner in summer and a heater in winter) need to be serviced professionally every few months, depending on the usage.

 
Electrical

If cables are passed through the roof ensure they are well insulated. All electric outlets and switches need to be operating properly, check for any discolouration around the switches or outlets, if a problem is serious, it may be in your best interest to get an electrician in to prevent further damage to your home. Check all electrical appliances are working properly such as heaters, kettles, electric blankets and heated towel rails as you will need them during the winter months.

Water leaks

Check the home for water leaks in the roof, all taps – inside and outside - as well as appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerators. Also check for any corrosion around these pipes due to rust or rodent and insect gnawing.

DONT FORGET: If you have a generator, make sure it is serviced and works in case of any load shedding or power failures!