Yes I know, we all want to sit outside having a braai, taking in the sun on a weekend, an non feel like getting on the roof to clean out your homes gutters. But when your home is your biggest investment, maintenance is a definite must. Following some tips below will help you not feel overwhelm and keep your home in top notch for the next year.
Like all of us, once you smell the blossoms after a cold winter, you want to through open your windows, clean your house cupboards, curtains to make your home all spring like. Just as much you inside needs to look and feel spring like, so does the outside of your home.
SPRING CLEANUP
GARDEN – Start by raking up any remaining leaves that survived the winter. Also start to spit your garden and raking up all the loose grass. This for one will make your outside look so much better.
OUTSIDE OF OUR HOME
INSPECT – Look around outside your house. Are there any cracks visible on your paving or your house paint? Check your roof for signs of loose or broken tiles. Check for water damage/damp, loose or bubbling paint. Make sure your gutters are clean, especially if you have big trees that would have clocked it with leaves. Give your house a bath, take a high pressure washer and wash the winter away.
INSIDE OF OUR HOME
INSPECT – Give your pipes a good once-over, check under sinks to make sure there is no signs of leaks. Also look for water marks on all your ceilings. Very important to also look for mold inside your house, this is not just a sign of water/damp issues but it is a big risk for your health.
BASIC MAINTENANCE
- Clear drains, gutters before the rainy season.
- Check and secure all your windows
- Touch up bubbling/loose peeling paint regularly to avoid expansion.
- Replace all globes.
- Check for damp and water leaks
ANNUAL TASKS
- Doors and Windows – Replace broken or cracked panes of glass and apply new putty where needed.
- Roofs– Inspect tiled roofs for damages, missing tiles and water damaged.
- Gutters – Keep gutters and downpipes clear of leaves.
- Paint – Check for bubbling loose paint.
- Walls and ceilings – Check for damp loose bubbling paint
- Patios and decks – Wooden decks must be properly sealed
- Fixtures – Check that you have no leaking taps
- Garages – Ensure no damp, rotten timber
- Driveways and pavements – Check for cracks and hazardous sections
