Home Maintenance 101

Why putting regular effort into maintaining your home is non-negotiable

Owning your home comes with as much responsibility as it does with joy. To make regular maintenance feel like less of a burden, we recommend working on a schedule and performing tasks when timing and seasons naturally lend themselves to doing so. Start this month with some easy tasks and soon it’ll feel more like a habit than a chore.

Monthly Tasks

No one wants to spend entire weekends doing housework as we know that this is often the only time we can relax and unwind. These actions might take you a bit longer to start with, but soon you’ll get the hang of them and get quicker at wrapping them up so they don’t eat into your weekend chill time.

• Start outdoors with garden, pool and entertainment area maintenance: check your pool water levels and do chemical tests, check that your pool pump is working properly and your pool cleaner is free of leaves.
• Check that your garden irrigation is working optimally, if you’re heading into a rainy season you can adjust it accordingly too. Check for leaks to limit the possibility of one of those scary huge water bills from the municipality.
• Oil/treat any wooden furniture you have, do this more regularly in warmer months and ensure this furniture isn’t exposed to the elements (sun and rain).
• Move indoors: Inspect sinks & drains – Look for leaks and clear any clogs. Regularly unclogging your drain and removing hair and food will keep your drainage system running smoothly.
• And in your kitchen: clean your oven, check filters in your tumble-dryer, rinse your dishwasher and washing machine, wipe down shelves in your fridge.

Seasonal Tasks

As seasons change, it’s a good idea to go through some more rigorous maintenance both indoors and outside.

• Heading into the rainy season? Inspect gutters & downpipes, box gutters and flatroof sections of your house: remove any buildup and other debris to prevent water damage.
• Check roof waterproofing/tiles for obvious cracks and wear, these issues are easier to fix before it gets too wet and they grow quickly.
• Check exterior drainage to ensure that water flows away from the foundation of your home, and that these are also clear of blockages.
• Check plumbing for leaks – under sinks, in cupboards, around toilets and appliances.
• Fumigate if necessary: cockroaches, ants, mosquitoes – all of these can be kept under control with an early-season fumigation.
• Seasonal spring cleaning: spring clean your home as the new season dawns. Clean out cupboards and wipe down hard-to-reach places that don’t generally get much attention during your routine tidy-up sessions.

Annual Tasks

These annual tasks can be spread out through the year, and are best diarised for reminder alerts:

• Test/service your garage door and gate, and ensure other applicable safety features are working. Perform an alarm system check: make sure that your alarm system is in full working condition at all times.
• Check that all the cameras installed on your property work and make sure that the motion sensors are fully functional – as this may affect you when it is time to claim, and that your electric fence is working properly and free of potential disturbances from nearby trees/foliage.
• Inspect & clean/service your fireplace and chimney to prevent possible fire hazards and ensure proper ventilation if heading into winter.
• Check and reseal wooden decks, patios and fences to protect against weather damage.
• Pressure wash dirty walls and decking to remove the build up of dirt.
• Electrical inspection: be sure to check electrical wires and cables for signs of wear and tear and replace them accordingly.
• Whether you buy or rent your solar inverter set up, annual maintenance is required on the system: ensuring that your panels aren’t obscured by trees, that they’re securely attached and the whole system is operating as it should.

Maintenance for when your budget allows

If you’re cash flush and able to modernise through maintenance, consider what you can tackle first:

• Energy efficiency, from efficient light bulbs to smart homes: this saves you money in the long run and ensures your property remains competitive in the market.
• Landscape/garden enhancements: look at how you can lower your water bill by planting indigenous plants and a water-efficient lawn.
• The dreaded paint job: a fresh coat (or two) of paint, or just touch-up painting if that’s all you’re able to afford: this is an expensive task to undertake, but necessary once every few years. Use the opportunity to fix any wall damp (and ensure you find the source of the damp if it’s not obvious).

It looks like a LOT, doesn’t it? By staying on top of these tasks, you can maintain your home’s value and avoid major issues down the road, and it might feel like a chore upfront, but it’s worth it in the long run as you are protecting your valuable asset and safeguarding your family. Preventing small issues from becoming big expensive problems is the goal while you’re living in your home.

But every hour you spend on maintenance becomes invaluable when the time comes to sell your home, if the maintenance increases the perceived value of your home, it’s likely to fetch a higher price and gives you a competitive advantage and edge over other houses that might require immediate repairs or renovations before a buyer is able to move in.