Regular maintenance of the home prevents high repair costs. The house also retains its value in the event of a sale. In most cases, it makes sense to make minor repairs right away. It can make a significant difference in costs and it prevents irritation. Maintenance consists of checking, cleaning and repairing and should be carried out once or twice a year. Most jobs can be done by the handy do-it-yourselfer. The annual maintenance of the ventilation system is better carried out by a specialized company.
Small repairs to the house
Make minor repairs right away and do not wait for periodic maintenance. Minor repairs include, for example, something that no longer works properly or that is broken, such as:
- A leaking tap
- A squeaky door
- A broken lock
The paintwork
Clean the paintwork (frames, doors) every month with soapy water to prevent wear. Check the paintwork twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, for cracks, tears, blisters and bare spots. Sand the woodwork and apply a new coat of paint. By repairing the paintwork, further damage is prevented. Also check the woodwork for rotten spots. Poke the wood with an awl. Lying parts and thresholds have a greater risk of wood rot. The rotten wood must be removed and the area filled with wood rot filler. In large areas, the rotten piece is replaced by a new piece of wood.
Maintenance of hinges and locks
Check the rotating parts of doors and frames. Rotating parts that do not have enough play increase the risk of rotting window pillars and joints. Apply oil to the hinges of doors and windows so that they open and close easily. Check the sealant edges on windows with double glazing for leakage.
Walls
Check the walls for cracks, moisture penetration and jointing. Water and vermin can enter through holes and cracks in the wall.
Electricity
Test the RCD. The earth leakage circuit breaker switches off the power in the event of a short circuit and conducts the leakage current to earth. Also check whether there are enough groups for all available equipment.
The roof
Clean the gutter as debris clogs the drain and speeds up the gutter aging process. Also pay attention to any cracks and leaks. Check that the tiles are straight, not porous or cracked. Straighten crooked roof tiles and replace the broken or porous ones.
Water pipe
Check if the wheel of the water meter continues to turn when all taps are closed, this may indicate a leak. Also check the crawlspace for any leaks. After a period of frost, water pipes that were frozen can thaw and leak. Close the outside tap before the start of winter to prevent freezing and open the drain tap to drain the water pipe.
Kit connection in the kitchen and bathroom
Check kit connections around the shower tray, bath or kitchen worktop and renew if necessary. Bad joints can cause leakage.
Ventilation system and boiler
Regular maintenance is necessary for a properly functioning heat recovery box (HRV box). This maintenance consists of:
- Clean once a month with a vacuum cleaner.
- Clean the extraction points of the mechanical and balance ventilation twice a year as pollution reduces the capacity of the ventilation.
- Replace the filters once a year to prevent an unhealthy indoor climate.
- Have it cleaned once a year by a specialized company to avoid reduced capacity.
Boiler maintenance
Top up the boiler once or twice a year to prevent malfunctions. More frequent refills can indicate leakage. Also bleed the radiators and central heating pipes because too much air in the radiators limits the heat output. Clean all ventilation grilles with a vacuum cleaner. Pollution reduces proper ventilation.
The sewer
Clean sewage pipes to avoid blockages. Do this by regularly turning on the hot tap and turning the washing machine on to heat setting. If necessary, add some soda and the caked dirt and soap residue will rinse away.
The fireplace
Have the chimney swept before the heating season starts to avoid a fire hazard.
