Buying a new house is a big undertaking, but the challenge does not end there—a lot must be done to keep the house in shape and functioning well.
Home maintenance can be daunting due to its time-consuming and expensive nature. However, keeping the house maintained without periodic home renovations is impossible too. Constant maintenance can save you from spending stacks of money on repairing your house in the long term.
Maintaining your house is particularly important if you live in areas like Clearwater, which experiences a tropical climate with hot and humid summers. The region’s heavy rainfall and thunderstorms can cause various moisture-related issues, such as mold growth in the house. Regularly inspecting your house and timely addressing these issues can spare you from undertaking a major renovation involving costly repairs.
Checkout Five Crucial Home Maintenance Ideas
Here are some home maintenance tips to keep your house in mint condition all the time.
1. Address mold and mildew problems
Mold and mildew growth is a common issue for many households. Lingering moisture is the primary reason for this problem, leading to unsightly stains and a foul odor.
Mold can cause breathing problems and exacerbate your allergies while damaging your property. This problem is more common in areas like Clearwater, with hot and humid temperatures. The climate in this area leads to heavy rain—on average 54.7 inches per year—strong winds and storm surges. Even when a hurricane does not hit such places, they can still be affected by the outer bands, resulting experiencing heavy rainfall.
Extensive rainfall can lead to issues like water damage. After observing mold growth, seeking help from a Clearwater water damage restoration company is the only appropriate solution unless you want to aggravate the issue.
Besides calling in professional help, some tips to prevent mold growth in your house include the following:
- Use dehumidifiers to keep moisture levels under control.
- Maintain ventilation by opening windows and using exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen.
- Make sure your home’s exterior grading directs water away from the foundation.
- Clean small patches of mold (less than 10 square feet) with water and detergent
- Keep moisture-prone areas such as the basement, crawl spaces, and bathroom dry.
2. Inspect drains periodically
Inspecting drains regularly ensures they are not clogged with debris and gunk. Clogged drains prevent water from passing and leaving the house, resulting in water standing in the drainage system. Stagnant water can attract pest problems, encourage health issues, and lead to structural problems.
If you observe clogged drains in your house, a simple and economical home remedy is to mix baking soda and vinegar in equal amounts in a cup and pour it into the drain. Then, wait some time to let the solution bubble before covering the drain with a stopper. Leave the drain covered for ten to fifteen minutes before pouring boiling water. This simple remedy will remove all the gunk and debris clogging the drains in your house.
3. Maintain a clean indoor air
Dust in the house can cause serious health issues such as allergies and asthma. According to EPA, Americans spend 90% of their time inside their homes. So, it is naturally the place that must be kept clean to promote better living.
You can maintain clean indoor air by investing in a good quality vacuum, ideally integrated with a HEPA filter for trapping small particles and allergens. Vacuuming floors, and carpets and keeping surfaces dust-free will prevent dust accumulation in the house.
Another idea is to buy an air purifier that constantly filters the air to remove allergens and other pollutants. If you want added protection, choose an air purifier with activated carbon filters to remove food and chemical odors.
Furthermore, you can opt for homemade cleaning products made with natural ingredients to reduce the release of toxic chemicals in the air. And decorate your house with indoor plants known for their ability to purify the air.
4. Deep clean taps and showerheads in the bathroom
Keeping your bathroom clean is integral to maintaining your home. Regular use of water and soap scum can leave stains on the taps and showerhead, making them less appealing and inefficient. Mineral deposits can also clog the showerheads.
The good part is that you can easily remove these stains with the help of a few items in your house.
Things you need for this task
- White vinegar
- Baking soda (optional)
- An old toothbrush or soft-bristle brush
- Plastic bag or zip-top bag
- Rubber bands or twist ties
- Cloth or sponge
- Mild soap or bathroom cleaner
Steps to clean
- Turn off the tap before starting cleaning to prevent accidental spraying or splashing while cleaning.
- Remove the showerhead if it is detachable; otherwise, you can also clean it while it is attached.
- To remove mineral deposits and limescale, fill a plastic bag or zip-top bag with white vinegar and soak the detached showerhead. Zip up the bag and leave it for several hours or overnight. Once soaked for some time, use the toothbrush to gently scrub the showerhead with the brush and rinse off the residue with water.
- Make a cleaning paste using vinegar and baking soda for taps and fixtures that can’t be removed. Apply and scrub this paste on the faucets and fixtures and scrub with the brush to remove the stains.
- Wipe down everything with a clean towel or sponge.
Remember, since you are using natural ingredients, you may not get perfect results on the first attempt as you would with a store-bought cleaner. But the bright side is that home products increase the useful life of the fixtures in your bathroom. Additionally, it prevents chemical odors from being released into the air.
5. Install fans in various parts of the house
Fans have been in use for a long time—and for a good reason. They allow the air to circulate, keep the space airy, and prevent moisture buildup. They also prevent dust from accumulating in the atmosphere of a place.
However, over the years, fans in the house have been replaced by air conditioners to keep the indoor environment cool. While air conditioners have benefits, they must not be replaced with fans in your home. Installing fans in various parts of the house, such as the bathroom, kitchen, attic, basement, and bedrooms, can change its atmosphere by ventilating it.
List of fans you can install in your house
- Ceiling Fans: They are suitable for bedrooms, living rooms, and other frequently used spaces.
- Exhaust Fans: Ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms to remove excess humidity, odors, and pollutants.
- Attic Fans: They are installed in attics to prevent heat buildup and moisture damage.
- Window Fans: Suitable for installing windows to draw in fresh outdoor air and remove polluted indoor air.
Conclusion
Keeping the house maintained is a constant effort, requiring keen observation and proper involvement in it. Otherwise, it won’t be long before you find clogged drains, chipping paint, stained tiles and bathroom fixtures, and foul odors engulfing your house. Addressing problems before they balloon into major issues is the only way to keep your home maintained and worthy of staying.
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