Homeowners should regularly upkeep their homes to maintain a sustainable living. Regular checkups and maintenance of your home save you from costly repairs. If you are a new homeowner who worries about home maintenance and wants to learn ways to upkeep your home, such as waterproofing, waste management, garage door repair, and updating home security systems. This comprehensive guide is a beacon of hope for you.
Waterproofing your home
Flooding, heavy rainfall, snow, or hail storms can cause water damage to your home. Water damage can develop over years or even decades until it comes into sight as a disaster. At that time, you realize that fixing one small leakage issue at the correct time could have saved you a lot of money on a big problem. Therefore, we recommend you waterproof your home to avoid water damage in the long run. You should waterproof the following structures in your home.
Basement/Foundation
The water can seep through the porous concrete walls of your basement. Additionally, cracks and gaps present in the walls also facilitate water accumulation. The water damage is identified by white powdery deposits known as efflorescence appearing on the walls. Waterproof the foundation of your home by using:
- Sealers.
- Waterproof paints.
- Coatings.
Outer Walls
If the external walls are not working waterproofed, water seeps through them and starts damaging the internal walls as well. You can waterproof the external walls by:
- Mixing waterproof elements with building materials used to construct walls.
- Applying a coat of weather-resistant paint on the walls.
- Protecting the inner walls by adding a layer of plastic sheet.
Roofing
The roof of your house acts as the first line of defense against water damage. Ensure roofing professionals:
- Properly seal the protrusions like chimneys and vents.
- Use the roofing material according to the climate of the region you are living in.
Drainage System
While constructing a new home, make sure that you:
- Install an efficient drainage system.
- Do not let waste, leaves, or moss block the gutters.
- Establish a sump pump or a French drain to remove stagnant water from the foundation.
Doors, Windows, and Water Tank
To waterproof the doors and windows:
- Properly get the windows sealed to keep water from reaching the wooden frames.
- Apply water-resistant coating on the doors to prevent swollen doors in the rainy season.
Moreover, use any of the following to waterproof your water tanks:
- A two-component epoxy coating
- Acrylic waterproof coating.
Interior of Your Home
Apart from waterproofing your house exterior, pay attention to your bathrooms and kitchen as well.
- Secure proper ventilation in your bathroom and kitchen. It will prevent condensation that leads to water damage.
- Avoid leaky sinks, showers, plumbings etc.
Waste Management
Proper waste management not only helps you in the upkeep of your home but also contributes to a greener planet. Improperly disposed of waste can attract insects and bugs, causing you a great degree of inconvenience. By controlling waste at home, you can:
- Save the money you would otherwise send on the waste disposal.
- Contribute towards preserving the environment.
Follow these simple steps to limit waste generation in your home:
- Segregate Waste:
Divide domestic waste into two categories:
- Degradable waste: Organic waste like paper, natural clothes, fruits, vegetables, and leftover food.
- Non-degradable waste: All sorts of inorganic waste.
- Create Compost:
Use organic waste to create compost for your garden.
- Donโt Waste Food:
Do not prepare extra food. Leftover food is discarded, which increases the amount of generated waste.
- Reduce Paper Usage:
Go green. Try to pay your bills online. It will also limit waste generation.
- Reuse Old Clothes:
Do not discard your old clothes. Recycle them or give them to the underprivileged.
Garage Door Repair
Garage door repair is also a crucial factor in upkeeping your home. A garage door serves as a shield against looters and home breakers. Get your garage door examined and serviced at least once a year to avoid any major problems. Timely assessment and repair of your garage door is quite beneficial.
- Repairing minor issues on time saves you from spending money on repairing major mechanical faults.
- Maintenance increases the life of a garage door.
- A neglected garage door problem can cause manifold security problems.
Although you can do DIY repair for minor garage door problems, we recommend you consult professional companies for this task. They possess specialized equipment to resolve the problem completely.
Maintaining Home Security Systems
Just like upkeeping the structure of your home by waterproofing it or timely repairing your garage doors, you should also consider regularly updating the security system of your home. Routine security checks can keep your home from being barged in. Hereโs what you can do to keep your security system updated.
Do this weekly:
- Make sure that the batteries of wireless cameras and smart locks are charged.
- Keep the control panel and camera lens dust-free.
Do this monthly:
- Update the home security app on your phone.
- Do a self-diagnosis of the control panel.
- Check the working of fire detectors.
Do this after every six months:
- Check the motion sensors.
- Check the batteries of all security devices.
- Inspect your security lights.
Do this annually:
- Contact professional locksmith services to get a complete vulnerability test.
- Make small changes around the perimeter of your house, such as trimming bushes and replacing old bulbs.
What you can do on your own to maintain your home security system is the bare minimum. Therefore, we recommend you hire locksmith professionals to thoroughly inspect the surveillance cameras, security lights, smart locks, control panels, and all other aspects of your home safety. They also provide you with the necessary locksmithing solutions according to the safety requirements of your property.
Conclusion
Being a new homeowner, you should be familiar with the basics of maintaining your home. Among numerous aspects of home maintenance, some important ones include complete waterproofing, a well-maintained garage door, an updated security system, and proper waste control. There is only one phrase you should remember and follow when it comes to home maintenance: a stitch in time saves nine.
