If you recently bought a property that is “well-loved” and has stood in place for decades, it’s vital to take care of it properly, so you don’t end up with lots of costly repair issues and other problems.
While older homes are typically beautiful, well built, and atmospheric, they do also have more likelihood of elements being in disrepair. As such, you must take steps to perform maintenance tasks each year.
Schedule Work
When life gets busy, it’s easy to forget to complete maintenance work. It’s a good idea, then, to put together a schedule for jobs throughout the year so nothing gets put off for too long. Planning keeps you on track and ensures that small problems don’t become huge ones because you ignored them.
Some maintenance work is annual or bi-annual, while other jobs are more regular, such as quarterly or monthly. Factor this in when scheduling, whether you use a physical paper diary or an online calendar or another system. Also, you might want to photograph different parts of your house as a way of documenting their current condition. This record makes it much easier to identify wear and tear over time.
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Maintain and Repair Appliances
Some of the most important things we use in a property are the appliances. If you have an older home, the likelihood is that the machines in it are just as “antique,” or at least some of them will be. Your maintenance work should include inspecting electrical or gas gadgets every few months for leaks, faults, and other issues. You might need to change bulbs, replace filters, or conduct other basic maintenance jobs. Otherwise, hire a tradesperson to do more in-depth repairs.
Keep in mind, too, that since it can be expensive when old appliances break (whether they require costly repairs or need replacing altogether), it helps to invest in home warranty that covers appliances. This product is different from the insurance you take out for the building or your contents. Instead, home warranty covers the repair or replacement of essential appliances and system components that wear over time.
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Clean Gutters and the Roof
Complete maintenance work on the exterior of your home, too. For example, clean out your property’s gutters at least a few times per year. Get rid of debris so guttersdon’tget too blocked up and more prone to ice dams, icicles, rust, and holes. If sections of guttering decline over time, you can replace them in bits, too.
If you have a big problem with gutters filling up quickly, consider installing gutter guards. These products sit across the top of gutters and help prevent dirt, dust, and other material from getting in. Your roof needs attention too. Inspect it annually for signs of significant wear and tear. Shingles and tiles can break because of weather exposure, or you can get gaps or leaks due to vines and other plant material lifting tiles. Call in a roofing professional to conduct cleans and roof repairs as needed.
Get Rid of Pest Infestations
While pest infestations can happen in any home, they’re particularly common in older properties that have been let go or that incorporate materials that attract creatures. One of the prime issues to search for is termite penetration. These bugs can build nests inside of walls and otherwise in and around buildings, and then the creatures eat wood and cause other damage.
If you notice signs such as paint cracking or bubbling on internal or external walls or the ceiling, or thin mud tubes inside or outside your property, call in a pest inspector ASAP. This person can take steps to remove the insects and stop infestations from happening again.
Clear Pipes and Drains
Another maintenance job to add to your to-do list is clearing blocked pipes and drains. Again, older homes tend to have this issue as pipes clog up over the years, especially when not regularly attended to or when people pour the wrong things down drains often. If you don’t get rid of debris, you can end up with rusted pipes that eventually burst.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Some signs of issues include water overflow, changes in water pressure, debris coming out of fixtures, wet spots and dampness, high water bills, and stinky odors emanating from around pipes and drains. Externally, if tree and plant roots have crept into channels, this can also cause problems. You’ll generally need a plumber to use specialized equipment to address these types of blockages.
Maintaining an older property takes time and energy, not to mention some money. However, by doing the tasks mentioned above,you’ll help your “grand old dame” of a home to stay looking and functioning well, so you and your family can continue to enjoy it. Thanks to AHS Home Warranty for consulting!
