We want to look after our homes. This really isn’t all too surprising. At the end of the day, your property is most likely to be the most expensive thing you buy or invest in in your lifetime. Not only is it costly, but it is also quite literally the space you grow to call home. It’s where you’re going to want to feel comfortable and safe. It’s where you’ll relax after a long day at work. It’s where you might want to build a family with children, pets and more. So, if you’re going to have a house, look after it. We’re all familiar with basic chores and tasks. We clean our homes. We replace broken light bulbs. We sometimes renovate to add extra features that make the space more appealing and accommodating. But when’s the last time you thought about the actual structure of your home? This tends to be something that the majority of us take for granted. We have walls, we have foundations, we have a roof over our head and we have windows. But without these basic elements, our homes would quite literally be nothing. It’s important that we take care of our homes’ structures in order to ensure they stay up and standing for years to come. Here are just a few areas you might want to focus on to get started in the right direction and maintain your home as long as possible!
Windows
Like the roof of a property, windows tend to get ignored. They’re a given. A basic. People assume they can’t change them, or simply don’t even consider changing them. But it’s important that you focus on them and do your utmost to maintain them to a high standard. They can actually make a huge difference to the comfort of your home and your home’s overall aesthetic!
Investing in Double Glazing
Glass is renowned for being a poor insulator. But there isn’t much alternative that’s completely transparent and can let natural light filter into our homes. So, if we’re going to be stuck with glass windows, we need to find a way to prevent heat passing through them extremely easily. If you have single glazing, now is the time to invest in double glazing. Double glazing prevents heat passing out of your home, which can reduce your energy bills, as you don’t have to consistently heat the property to counteract heat loss. It can also help to maintain a more ambient temperature within your home during the colder months of the year. There are plenty of professionals out there who can fit double glazing for you. It’s not the cheapest alteration to make, but it’s a big investment.
Trying Out a Window Tint
Having lots of windows that let lots of natural light into your property can be great for your home’s aesthetic. It helps with your circadian rhythms and keeps you happier and healthier. However, having more natural light in your home can have some downsides too. It can lead to natural bleaching of furniture and other belongings inside of your home. To avoid this, but to not lose out on the light, consider a simple window tint. Just make sure a professional tints your windows, so it’s done properly!
Dealing With Damage
Glass, of course, isn’t the strongest of materials. It can be prone to cracking or breaking for various reasons. Perhaps a child throws a ball that hits it. A passing bird could drop a stone. Heavy hail can cause problems. Regardless of the reason for damage to your windows, you need to make sure that you deal with it as soon as possible. Consider a full service window replacement for damaged panes to make your home safe and secure once again!
Cleaning Your Windows Properly
We’re used to doing chores around the house to keep things presentable. But many of us neglect our windows when it comes to our cleaning schedule. It’s important that you know how to effectively clean your windows inside and out in order to have a presentable and streak-free finish to this huge aspect of your home. To clean the side of your windows that are inside your property, you will need a window cleaning solution and a window cleaning cloth or rag. It should be a relatively simple task to carry out, as less dirt builds up on the insides of your windows. There isn’t wind blowing dirt and debris onto it and they aren’t exposed to the rain. To clean, simply spray the inside of the window with your window cleaning solution and then wipe the surface down, wiping away any marks or streaks. Cleaning the outside of your windows is likely to prove to be a bit more of a difficult task. If you live in a house with more than one floor, you’re going to have to find a way of reaching windows much higher than you can reach yourself. There is also likely to be much larger build up of dirt on the outside of your windows, due to them facing the elements and being in contact with wildlife. To be safe and get the best results possible, hire a professional window cleaner. They’ll have the equipment and expertise to complete your window cleaning to the highest standard possible.
Foundations
You don’t see the foundations of your home, so it’s pretty easy for them to slip from your mind. But damaged foundations can wreak absolute havoc with your property. Put simply, the foundations of your home are what literally keeps it standing. They lie beneath your property and support the full weight of your property. A crack in the foundations not only causes problems, but it’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to fix it yourself. Left unattended, it can create an unstable property that (in a worst case scenario) may need to be demolished for the safety of the surrounding area. In less severe scenarios, you may still experience uneven door frames, uneven floors, and a generally unsound structure to your home. So, if you are concerned about your home’s foundations, call out a professional. They’ll be able to survey your property, identify any damage, figure out the causes of the damage (to prevent further damage from occurring) and fix the problem itself too. It may be costly, but it’s essential. So, don’t put it off!
Roofing
Roofing, when correctly put into place, is generally quite sturdy. But there’s still always a risk of tiles coming loose or breaking. This is often the result of similar causes to broken windows. Children throwing toys or balls that may hit tiles, debris falling from the sky, or severe weather. If you notice any problems with your roofing, contact a professional who will be able to nail tiles back to shingles properly. Not only will this make your property safer (falling tiles can be extremely dangerous), but it will prevent further problems, such as leaks, from developing or worsening. Look at reviews to find the best professional in your area!
These are just a few different areas of your home’s basic structure that you might want to focus on. It’s definitely worth giving them thought and paying attention to them. Without them, you wouldn’t have a complete home at all. As with most issues, it’s better to tackle problems sooner rather than later!