In many ways, your house is like a baby that needs constant care and attention, although some people might argue that a baby is easier to care for! Home maintenance is a chore that most of us find difficult to keep up with, but as is the case with most things in life, prevention is better, and cheaper, than fixing something once it’s already been destroyed or damaged.
In many cases, buying a home is the biggest and most exciting purchase in most people’s lifetimes. When you’ve saved for years, you’d rather not lose your property to water damage, fire, burglary, or have some critters eat everything. Experts agree, however, that homes should be inspected regularly for signs of deterioration. Victorians that spot any vermin or insects that may cause damage can look for pest control in Melbourne and choose the right company to help resolve any issues that might be caused by unwanted visitors in your home.
Let’s take a look at a few common home deterioration problems and what you can do to prevent further damage to your home moving forward.
Causes And Prevention
Even though you hope for the best, when it comes to your house, you should always be proactive and be prepared for any eventuality. The damage caused by severe weather or a bursting pipe inside your bathroom, for example, can be severe and expensive. Having home insurance is crucial when something bad happens to your house. With the right policy in place, you can often avoid financial hardship when you have to fix or replace something major. The good news is there are some easy things you can do around the house to prevent damage from occurring in the first place.
1. Be Wary Of Wind
The wind is the most common cause of damage to Australian homes. Trees can be uprooted, roofs can be damaged, and outdoor tables and chairs can fly through windows during strong winds. Take a look around your house and ask yourself, “What might damage my house?” If you are worried about high winds, prune trees, strengthen structures, and move potential projectiles indoors.
2. Water, Water Everywhere
The most common causes of water damage to Australian properties are internal water issues, although most people think of water damage as a result of inclement weather. Leaks can occur from appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and toilets. Don’t forget to check your hot water boiler for problems if you find a leak in your home. A burst water pipe can result in extensive damage that can cause untold damage to your property if left untreated.
Be sure to carry out regular inspections under sinks and know where the water sources are. If your washing machine has a rubber hose, for example, you should check it every year to make sure it’s not worn out, or replace it with a stainless steel one that will stand the test of time. Whenever you are away for an extended period of time, you might want to consider turning off the main water valve just to be safe.
3. Keeping Your Home Safe From Fire
Australians know first-hand the devastation and damage that fires can cause. Despite our association with fires occurring in the summer, accidents can occur at any time, which is why prevention measures must be taken to keep families, homes, and yourself safe.
You should have smoke detectors professionally installed in crucial areas, like outside the bedrooms and at different levels of your property. Also, do a regular check on your monitors and replace them if and when necessary, as it truly would be a tragedy if you have detectors installed and they malfunction due to non-maintenance. A smoke alarm gives you the time you need to get people to safety in case a fire breaks out.
Every floor of the home should have a multipurpose fire extinguisher. A fire blanket should also be available in the kitchen. When it comes to protecting your family, establish and practice an escape plan, ensure everyone can quickly unlock doors and windows for a quick escape, and set up a meeting point outside your home.
Take Preventative Measures To Keep Your Home As Safe As Possible
Following the tips outlined above, you can be sure that your home will be as safe as possible moving forward. However, although you might take preventive measures, incidents can still occur, and when this happens, having the right insurance policy will pay off, enabling you to recover as quickly as possible and avoid the full financial burden of your losses or damages.
