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“IF YOU INSPECT your house and throw an eye around it every once in a while, you’ll be able to catch problems when they’re minor and there’s a good chance you’ll be able to sort them out yourself. But if you let them go on longer, they might cost you.”
This is according to DIY expert Shauna O’Connor (@home.diy.diary), who regularly shares DIY and home maintenance advice with her followers – and who highlights the importance of tackling issues around the house early on.
So, which are the home maintenance tasks that can help you avoid costly problems down the line? We spoke to Shauna to hear her tips…
Although the winter months are behind us, there’s no harm checking for draughts around your home to ensure that any heat you’re using isn’t being lost, says Shauna. “I’ve been going around all of my window boards and doors and putting silicone in all of the joints between where the boards meet the wall. This prevents any draughts from coming in.”
“Using silicone and caulk is such a simple job, anyone can do it. It’s so effective, I’ve reduced draughts substantially since I started keeping an eye on my window boards.” Shauna also recommends taking a look at the rubber seals on doors and windows, which can also allow heat to be lost from the home if they’re broken or damaged. “If you check your home regularly and notice that there’s a crack in the seal or the door’s not shutting properly, the seal can be very easily replaced by picking a new one up in any hardware store.”
While it’s a slightly more difficult task, clearing out your gutters is worth the effort, says Shauna. “Especially after the winter, gutters and downspouts need to be checked because if water isn’t flowing freely from them, it could accumulate along the roof and that in itself could cause a problem.” To avoid this, Shauna advises getting up on a ladder to check them three or four times a year and scooping out any debris.
It can be easy to let weeks or months pass by when you need to tackle a problem but, when it comes to patches of mould or damp, the best approach is to deal with them quickly. “If you spot a minor issue like that early on, you can probably solve it yourself before it gets too big and you’ve to call in a professional,” says Shauna.
“For example, I’ve noticed a patch of damp in my bathroom, so I need to identify if it’s coming from a leak in the roof or if it’s a ventilation and humidity issue. I’ll look in the attic to check if it’s a minor leak, and if it is I can get some a sealing tape to cover it up, or it might be a job for expanding foam. If it’s not a leak, then I’m going to be pretty confident that it’s a ventilation issue, meaning I need to be opening my windows more regularly.”
In rooms where there’s a high level of dampness or humidity, Shauna recommends applying a fresh coat of waterproof paint to the ceiling “every so often”. This is because, after a while, “the ceiling will start absorbing that moisture again”.
If there’s mould present, Shauna highlights the importance of wearing safety goggles, a mask and gloves before you deal with it. Then, she recommends using a solution made of equal parts of water and vinegar to wipe away the mould. “Give it 24 to 48 hours to completely dry out, and then seal the patch with anti-damp paint. Once you keep the room ventilated, the problem shouldn’t reoccur.”
In modern homes, appliances like washing machines, dryers and fridges play an important role – something that’s often not realised until a problem occurs and they no longer work. To ensure your appliances are operating properly, Shauna says its important to carry out maintenance checks every so often, like cleaning out the dryer vents, making sure the cooling coils at the back of the fridge are clean and making sure that the rubber seals on the oven are intact. “All of these things can save you on energy costs because your appliances will be operating more efficiently,” says Shauna.
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