Over time, your home is going to show signs of aging. The walls will get scuffed, floorboards will start to wear down, and colours will start to fade. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—many even prefer the lived-in character that only comes with time—but if not managed it can lead to major, costly damage down the line. General cleanliness will help prevent this, but there’s quite a bit more to looking after a house than that. Below, we’ll take a look at the less regular home maintenance jobs that are important to stay on top of.
EVERY SIX MONTHS
Hose down the exterior
Cleaning your home’s exterior doesn’t need to be complicated. You don’t need to scrub it with a sponge and soap every time, and it’s best to avoid the pressure washer (which could cause damage). All you need to do is give it a simple hose-down like you would a car. Essential for paint finishes or if you live near the ocean but still a good idea if your cladding is maintenance-free, just give it a quick rinse and you’re done.
Clear the debris
To avoid the water damage, rot and other headaches caused by a build-up of leaves and debris, clean your roof, gutters and stormwater drains at least once a year. At the same time, grab a bucket of water (or a hose), some mild dish soap and a soft cloth and give your solar panels a gentle clean—especially if they’re on a flat roof where debris can easily settle. It’s best to do this at the end of autumn before winter brings a lot of rain, especially if you have overhanging trees.
Squeaky-clean solar panels will be much more effective.
Clean window and door tracks
A build up of dirt and grime can wear down the hardware of your doors and windows and, over time, make them difficult to open and close. Keep them running smoothly by cleaning them out, with a brush or vacuum.
Flush out the hot water system
If you have a heat pump hot water system, it will need to be flushed out at regular intervals. Timeframes vary depending on the manufacturer, but typically sit around six months. Don’t worry, though, it’s super easy: all you should need to do is open the hot flow relief valve for ten seconds and everything should keep running smoothly (refer to the manufacturer instructions, though).
YEARLY
Re-oil external timber
When it’s installed, all external timber should be oiled to protect it from moisture, UV, algae growth, and general wear and tear. To avoid irreversible damage, though, it needs to be periodically re-applied. Specific timeframes vary depending on the type of timber, your local climate and its exposure to the elements (ask your builder when its installed), but once a year is generally your best bet. In WA, aim to do this in autumn, spring or early summer when the temperature is mild but still warm enough for quick drying. If you can, avoid re-sanding the timber as this will shorten its lifespan.
Staying on top of maintenance will keep your timber looking this good for much longer.
Schedule a termite barrier inspection
Termites, and the damage they can cause, should be taken very seriously. A yearly check of your termite barrier—whether for damage to a physical barrier or a breach to a chemical one—can prevent costly structural damage and may even be a condition of your insurance. Also keep in mind that termites thrive in moist environments. If you have landscaping up against the house or the garden’s running a little wild, an earlier inspection could be a good idea.
EVERY FEW YEARS
Repaint the exterior
Most exterior paints come with a five-year warranty but, if regularly cleaned and maintained, they can last significantly longer. Weather, salt (if you’re near the ocean), UV exposure and elevation can all influence this, however, and more frequent repainting may be necessary. No matter your location, if you notice peeling or signs of deterioration, it’s time to repaint. Leave it too long and your cladding, timber especially, could start to rot, warp or crack and you’ll have an entirely different problem on your hands.
Keep an eye on timber joinery
While on the topic of re-painting, we should emphasise that timber joinery (like your window frames), may need to be re-painted or re-oiled more frequently. If this timber is exposed, the subsequent water ingress and swelling can quickly affect operation and even delaminate the glass. Check them regularly, keep them clean, and re-paint as soon as you notice any damage.
Timber joinery that will need to be well-looked after at our Zamia Road project.
Reseal the floors
Whether you have timber or polished concrete floors, sealant (or finish) is essential to protect them from scratches, stains and moisture damage. The job of resealing can be quite a big one (you’ll need to remove all your furniture), but in high traffic areas its best to re-apply it every five years or if you notice damage. Unfortunately, it’s not a good idea to re-seal only one section of the floor. To ensure a continuous seal, you’ll need to re-do it all. And, as mentioned earlier, avoid sanding the floors down if you can.
TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Internal painting: As it’s not exposed to the elements, you only need to repaint inside when aesthetics is a concern (but warranties typically last about ten years). If you notice small cracks in the paint in the first year or so, don’t stress, this is to be expected as the home settles.
Benchtops: Keep benches clean and tidy to reduce the risk of damage and, when they occur, address chips and stains quickly. Most benchtops come with a care pack, but gumption is usually your next best option.
Filters: Check and/or clean your tap, shower and water filters if they stop running smoothly.
Smoke alarms: Your smoke alarm batteries should be changed yearly, but if they start beeping, get onto it ASAP.
Hardware and working parts: Keep an eye on your home’s working parts (like cupboards, drawers and handles) and repair as needed to avoid further damage. If it’s a difficult job, it’s easy to book a cabinet maker to re-adjust them.
Drains: If your water is taking a while to drain, check your water pipes. If you’re up for it, pull out the S-bend under the sink and give it a clean.
PREVENTION IS EVERYTHING
Ultimately, the key to home maintenance is prevention. Stay on top of it and you’ll avoid much bigger, more costly problems down the line. As always, we’re more than happy to be your first point of call, so if you notice anything of concern, don’t hesitate to get in touch.