Are there cracked tiles, broken window latches or leaky taps in your home? If you’ve been promising yourself that you’ll “see to it later” – then make later NOW.
Putting off maintenanceis is never a good idea – it costs money and increases frustration. Winter is always a good time to conduct a thorough maintenance check, so carefully examine the interior of your home and look for little things you may have overlooked before. Start by doing the following:
- Test your electricity. Every year, make a point of checking that all the outlets work. If they don’t, get an electrician to re-wire them. Working with electricity is dangerous, so be EXTRA careful.
- Check all locks and deadbolts on your doors and windows. If something doesn’t work as it should, replace it.
- Check caulking around showers and bathtubs and repair as needed.
- Remove showerheads and clean sediment. This prolongs their life and helps water pressure too.
- Inspect and change air conditioning filters. Change dirty filters once a month or latest every two months. You can opt for cheaper filters and replace them more often.
- Inspect your fire extinguisher(s). Ensure you have easy access to it and that there is nothing blocking it (like a garbage bin). Check that the gauge shows adequate pressure and that there are no visible signs of wear and tear.
- Clean out gutters. Leaves in autumn and sediment and grime after the summer rains are common.
- Inspect the exterior of your home. Is any paint chipping? Is any siding damaged by rain? Are there any holes in the brickwork? Also be sure to check the foundation for any cracks. A good silicone/caulk can fix a lot of your problems.
- Check grout in bathrooms and kitchen and repair as needed. This will prolong the life of your tiled surfaces and keep them looking good.
- Inspect plumbing for leaks, clean aerators on taps. Go around all your taps and toilets, checking for small leaks. If you have poor water pressure, the aerator is the likely culprit – the good news is it’s really easy to fix.
Remember to review your insurance policy this winter – speak to Indwe Risk Services today on 0860 13 13 14