Home | home and needs | 11 Common Home Repair And Maintenance Mistakes To Avoid

11 common home repair and maintenance mistakes to avoid

11 common home repair and maintenance mistakes to avoid

Home maintenance is an ongoing task. Falling behind on HVAC systems’ maintenance, appliance maintenance, and even plumbing can require a complete replacement. One of the best ways to maintain a home and its structural integrity is cleaning things and repairing them at the first signs of wear, but aside from neglecting the same, people can make several mistakes when caring for their home. So, here are eleven common home repair and maintenance mistakes to avoid.

Not winterizing
Many homeowners forget about winterizing, a crucial step in maintaining their property. Winterizing is taking preventative measures to protect the property against damage that freezing temperatures can cause. Tasks like insulating pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting, clearing gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage, sealing windows and doors to prevent drafts, and servicing heating systems to ensure they function efficiently during the colder months are all part of the winterizing process. Winterizing a home or property helps prevent costly damage and ensures the comfort and safety of occupants during months when the area sees freezing temperatures.

Not addressing water damage
One of the biggest lapses in maintenance is not addressing water damage immediately. When spaces like bathrooms aren’t kept dry, water damage and mold can affect them and further penetrate the structure, resulting in costly repairs or even complete replacements. One of the main indications of water seeping into the structure is stains and watermarks on the ceiling or walls. This is usually a sign of either a pipe leak in the house, problems with the roof, or old caulking that’s allowing water to seep into places from high-moisture areas. Getting a professional plumber to find the root cause should be the immediate plan of action.

Not changing AC/furnace filters
Clean air filters in good condition can help one save money on electricity bills. This is because the system to heat or cool the house won’t have to work as hard, resulting in lower energy bills. The filters should be cleaned every couple of months and replaced at least twice a year to keep the HVAC system running efficiently.

Overusing power washing
Maintenance doesn’t only include repairs or replacing. Cleaning regularly is also a huge part of maintenance, and while power washing can get grime and mud cleaned out in no time, using it carelessly could damage the masonry. High water pressure can damage bricks and aluminum siding and even cause the stucco to crumble. It’s important not to get too close to the surface one is trying to clean and to keep the nozzle at least 6 inches away.

Not cleaning the gutters regularly
Clogged gutters tend to leak water into the home’s foundation, and this could slowly weaken it over time. Going into the next season with clogged gutters is a complete no-no. Not cleaning gutters regularly allows twigs, leaves and debris to collect and block water from flowing freely and is a home maintenance mistake that must be avoided.

Neglecting windows
Windows should be maintained and cleaned regularly to ensure that they function properly. If one struggles to open the windows, notices rot on the corners, or can feel a cold draft when passing it, it may be time to repair. All the clean filters in the HVAC system cannot reduce the energy bill if the windows can’t prevent cold air from entering the house.

Improper yard work
Letting trees grow unpruned and unchecked can be a safety hazard. Storms and inclement weather can cause branches to snap off and damage the house. Maintaining tree and shrub height and checking for poisonous or parasitic wild plants is absolutely necessary for proper home maintenance.

Using the wrong tools
While DIYs to repair and carry out routine maintenance work around the house sounds like a money-saving decision, it could end up costing much more. Using the wrong tools can end up damaging what needs to be fixed. Not taking care and using safety measures when carrying out repairs with power tool is also a common home repair and maintenance mistake one should avoid.

Not deep cleaning
Keeping a regular schedule to clean out appliances, fans, bathrooms, the loft, the basement, and high-traffic areas in the house is necessary to ensure that issues don’t fall through the cracks (pun intended). Having a seasonal maintenance checklist can help immensely in ensuring that every part of the house gets a regular onceover.

Not using appropriate cleaning products
There’s no one-size-fits-all in cleaning products, so one should not use the same products for all cleaning needs. The stuff that gets the grime off the fan may not be the best one to clean the oven with! Using incorrect cleaning agents and scrubbers or making use of excessive cleaning products can damage the appliances or the paint and luster of the objects being cleaned. So, selecting the correct cleaning agents for different surfaces is imperative.

Overusing duct tape
For a quick fix, duct tape works wonders, but that cannot be one’s go-to solution all the time. It’s not a permanent solution and, as such, should not be treated as one. Temporary repairing items with duct tape is acceptable so long as the next step is a call to a professional to inspect the issue. Leaving duct tape on for too long can result in a sticky residue marking the surface, the issue worsening, and the need for a complete replacement of the product or area.

Read Also

Know more about exciting & latest articles right here

Foods to Avoid to Manage Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Foods to Avoid to Manage Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic Esophagitis, or EoE, is a chronic digestive disease of the esophagus caused by an allergic condition. It is characterized by chest pain, heartburn, and solid food dysphagia. If this disorder is left untreated, it can cause esophageal remodeling and stricture formation. This disorder is also marked by eosinophilic inflammation and impacts the quality of life of the affected person. You can check out various reliable health websites to get information on eosinophilic esophagitis. A patient with EoE must be very careful with his health and meal plans, as research suggests that EoE is linked to food allergies. Therefore, the six most common food items that are responsible for such allergies include: Dairy Cow milk is said to be one of the most common reasons for EoE. Milk protein can trigger too many eosinophils. You should avoid food items made up of milk, buttermilk, lactose, and other related dairy products. You can replace dairy products with coconut hemp, dairy-free yogurts, cashew ice cream, etc. Soy Soy-based food items include tofu, soy butter, soymilk, and miso. Soy cheese, soy nuts, soy milk, etc., should be avoided and can be substituted with refined soybean oil or coconut aminos. Wheat You might think wheat is only found in bread, cereal, or baked goods.
Read More
5 Common Digestive Issues and Their Symptoms

5 Common Digestive Issues and Their Symptoms

One of the most vital systems in our body is the digestive system. It is responsible for the digestion of food and the distribution of nutrients throughout the body to meet the bodily requirements for energy, development, and cell repair. Issues in the digestive can interfere with the body’s ability to get energy from food. While some gastrointestinal issues can go away with healthy eating habits, other concerns may require treatment.  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) IBS is a functional bowel disorder. This means the cluster of varied symptoms categorized as IBS is brought on by changes in the normal functioning of the digestive system. The primary sign is abdominal pain, which can develop before or after a bowel movement, and is a reliable indicator of IBS. Additionally, one may experience both constipation and diarrhea. The form of IBS can be determined depending on whether a person has diarrhea or constipation more frequently or both equally. Other IBS signs and symptoms are incomplete bowel motions, white mucus in the stool, and bloating. Nutrition is important for managing the symptoms of IBS, which includes eating low-fat, high-fiber meals and avoiding common trigger foods when the cause of the condition is unknown. Food poisoning or gastrointestinal infection are common causes.
Read More
8 Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

8 Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Most of us make it a goal to keep our house clean and tidy. Cleaning the house may look like a straightforward task, but there are certain aspects that are generally overlooked. Cleaning is a time consuming and tedious activity. And most of us make common cleaning mistakes that do not provide us with the results we expect. So here is a list of cleaning mistakes to avoid for better results and a sparkling clean home. Mixing cleaning chemicals You may think mixing two or more cleaning products will increase the cleaning power. However, this can be very dangerous as it might release toxic fumes. For example, household cleaners like Clorox Pinesol should never be mixed with bleach as they can react together to produce hazardous chlorine gas or even chloroform. Similarly, Pinesol disinfectant should not be mixed with room spray sanitizer as the chemicals could react together to unleash a toxic cloud of gases that can trigger respiratory problems and even cause skin burns. Instead of mixing chemicals, use a single cleaning agent or solution and stick to a reliable brand. Alternatively, you can also enlist the help of a cleaning company, like Servpro Services, which offers a range of affordable home cleaning services. Using feather dusters A feather duster may seem very useful, but all it does is spread the dust from one surface to another.
Read More
11 Potential Warning Signs of Excess Sugar Intake

11 Potential Warning Signs of Excess Sugar Intake

Processed foods like cakes, cookies, candies, and breakfast cereals contain added sugar, and most people find them delicious and irresistible. However, they have little nutritional value. Eating too many sweets can increase the risk of several health issues. For instance, it can lead to blood sugar spikes and heart disease. When a person eats too much sugar regularly, the body begins to give signs that it is time to cut back on sweet foods. High blood pressure Besides monitoring salt intake, people suffering from high blood pressure should watch their sugar intake because eating too much sugar is also linked to high blood pressure. According to a study, foods high in sugar can reduce nitric oxide in the blood vessels, which can, in turn, impact blood flow and lead to high blood pressure. Mood swings or irritability Feeling moody, irritable, or depressed on and off is a common sign of high sugar intake. Mood swings occur as foods high in sugar affect the neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood. Sugary foods also negatively impact gut function, another factor linked to a person’s mood. Low energy or tiredness Binging on sugary snacks wreaks havoc on one’s blood sugar levels. It first causes blood glucose to rise, providing a boost of energy.
Read More