Listen to Diagnose Your Home in Sotho:
New Homeowners Guide – Diagnose Your Home
Congratulations! You’ve applied for, and have been lucky enough to purchase your first home!
Now what?
Never fear, HOMEMAKERS is here to save you. Or, at least, just point you in the right direction regarding where to focus your attention.
Over the next 5 months, we’ll be releasing one chapter a month of our New Homeowner’s Guide to help you make the best choices on this journey.
Last month’s chapter was all about security concerns in and around the home. Read it here for some critical tips.
Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 20)
Play Doctor
What does it mean when the pipes make that weird noise? Why do I keep replacing lightbulbs so often? What’s that funny smell? Be the diagnostician of your own home by reading the symptoms and curing them before they become terminal.
Symptom: Bubbling or Flaking Paint
Diagnose Your Home With: Walls Are Not Sealed Against Moisture Intrusion
Comorbidities: Your Home Feels Humid
Treatment: If your paint is bubbling or coming off of the walls, and especially if you can feel moisture when touching the area – your exterior walls are not sealed correctly. This allows for rain to penetrate the plaster and leads to failing paint and a feeling of humidity. Call the wall guys.
Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 20)
Symptom: The Doors Are Tough To Open
Diagnose Your Home With: Foundation Issues
Comorbidities: Your Floor Tiles Have Cracks / Wooden Floors Bough
Treatment: You’ll want to determine if your foundation is finished settling or if there are active shifts in the soil. If it’s certainly not the natural settling that a new house does over time, you have to call a foundation company.
Symptom: The Bathroom Ceiling Has Black Spots / Is Discoloured
Diagnose Your Home With: Long-Term Water Damage Leading to Mould
Comorbidities: Everyone in the house has a stuffy or runny nose
Treatment: If there are signs of water leaking through to the ceiling, it may indicate issues with the roof, the geyser or plumbing running above the ceilings. As soon as a leak leads to mould growth, it affects the quality of the air, leading to respiratory issues. Either way – call the roofers or plumbers.
Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 20)
Symptom: Low Water Pressure
Diagnose Your Home With: A Leak Or Clog In Your Plumbing System
Comorbidities: Water Meter Runs Even When No Water Is Used
Treatment: Low water pressure can be because of a leak or a clog in your plumbing system. If this is paired with a running water meter when no taps are on – you should call a plumber immediately. Not only is this bad for your water bill, but it can lead to damp and water damage down the line.
Symptom: Lightbulbs Keep Needing To Be Replaced
Diagnose Your Home With: Electrical System Is Injured
Comorbidities: Lights Flicker Often
Treatment: Incorrect electrical connections lead to flickering lights and can lead to bigger problems like a house fire. Get the local sparky on the job.
Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 20)
Symptom: It’s Hot Even With The Aircon On
Diagnose Your Home With: Roof / Insulation Needs Treatment
Comorbidities: The Electricity Bill Is Higher Than Usual
Treatment: Higher electrical bills coupled with boiling heat – no matter how cold you set the aircon indicate that your roof is damaged or that your insulation is insufficient. Time to get the roof guys or the insulation guys on over.
Further Treatment
If your sickly house is displaying any more symptoms that aren’t listed here – get in touch with any of our vetted house doctors. They can make it all better.
Check out our latest vetted supplier catalogue!
Johannesburg
Pretoria
Cape Town
Durban
Vaal Triangle
Bloemfontein
Read more in our latest Digital Magazines!
Johannesburg
Pretoria
Cape Town
Durban
Vaal Triangle
Bloemfontein
