Have you recently bought a home in Adelaide? Or perhaps you are considering buying one?
One of the most significant responsibilities as a homeowner is to look after the building itself. Most people buy a home with the intention of growing old safe in the knowledge they have somewhere to live in retirement. Taking care of your asset is, therefore, critical.
Just like your car, there are two types of maintenance – preventative and reactive. Reactive maintenance is typically performed after an unexpected event; for example, a storm blocks a gutter, or after an accident. Preventative maintenance is like the oil change on your car. You know you need to do it, and if you do not, you risk significant damage to the engine. Your home is just the same; that mildly annoying damp patch may be causing significant structural damage.
The most significant benefit of properly maintaining your home is the safety in the knowledge your home is in good shape. Regular unexpected works constitute a significant cause of stress and financial worry.
Keeping your home maintained adequately is often a requirement for new home warranties, and home insurance policies. Neglect it, and you may have significant financial worries later.
A well-maintained home will, of course, be worth more than a poorly maintained one. If you have any thoughts about selling your home in the future, make sure you look after it well.
Apart from anything else, living in a well-maintained home makes you feel nice and secure.
In this article, we will explain some of the critical areas of preventative maintenance you should be regularly considering.
Damaged roofing
Many people happily forget about their roof for most of the year. They simply wait until it starts leaking. This, of course, usually happens at the most inconvenient of times during a heavy storm. Once one or two tiles have shifted out of place, or a roof sheet has lifted, it is very easy for strong winds to get underneath during the next storm. You should, therefore, get a qualified building inspector to check your roof on an annual basis as well as after a heavy storm.
Gutters and downpipes
Gutters and downpipes play an essential job in protecting your home from water and damp. They are designed in such a way as to channel water away to the drain and keep it away from the walls, windows, and roof. If they become blocked for whatever reason, you risk water damage to your property.
Sometimes this is not noticeable if it is affecting roofing or the outer wall. The damage caused, however, may be severe. As well as getting the gutters regularly cleaned, ask a building inspector to double-check them while inspecting the roof.
Doors and Window frames
Plumbing and Electrics
Paint
Fences
How We Can Help
Select Building Inspections is here to help advise you on the best way to maintain your home in Adelaide. Our building inspectors are available to visit your home and perform a full annual maintenance check or for potential buyers, let you know how well the previous owners maintained your future home! To book an inspector, you can contact us directly on 0475 555 039 to schedule a consultation.
