Understanding basic home maintenance
Homeowners often struggle to keep up with the maintenance of their homes because they are so busy with work and other obligations. If you have a general idea of how to care for your home, such as maintaining a healthy garden, that is good. But there are plenty of things that go unnoticed in the daily maintenance of a home which can be harmful in the long run if not taken care by homeowners. To help solve this problem, below is a list and explanation on common types of home maintenance and what they entail.
- Painting- Painting is usually done annually during spring or summertime when the exterior siding or clapboard walls need to be refreshed in color or removed altogether. There are four types of painting in which a homeowner would do on their house in the order below. The first type is the removal of old paint containing lead with a product such as LeadCheck. This should be done by someone trained or certified to handle this kind of hazardous material. The second type is removing old paint and repainting the stripped area with primer. Next, you will need to apply two coats of new paint to ensure a strong adhesion between the surface and the new layer of paint. Finally, applying a finish coat which may include rolling or brushing on varnish, shellac or polyurethane depending on your preferences.
- Roofing- This is one of the most important things to get done if you own a house. There are different types of roofing materials but almost all roofs will need to be replaced after 40 years and will cost approximately $15,000.00 for a basic asphalt shingle roof. Added features like skylights and chimneys will add costs as well. The materials that are best for roofing include asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and metal. As an added bonus, the basic maintenance of a shingle roof is very easy and cheap.
- Mopping- Mops are used to clean floors. In order to do this regularly cleaned floors must be mopped. If you have hardwood floors, tile floors or carpeting than mopping is not as important as on carpets because of the abrasive nature of the fibers. When mopping, make sure you do not wet down your flooring too much or the water may seep through and damage the surface underneath.
- Water Heater- The water heater will need to be changed out every 10 years for an electric water heater and 20 years for a gas water heater. This can cost up to $1,000 if there is no warranty on the old one. It is important to have an annual maintenance check of your hot water heater such as relighting pilot lights and checking the temperature on cold cycles. If your hot water heater has rust stains coming from it, it is likely this means you will need a new one soon.
- Pipes- Water and drains are used everyday in your home and they will need to be maintained from time to time. It is important to check the temperature of your kitchen faucets and shower heads. If there are water leaks, it is recommended that you hire someone who can fix plumbing issues since they often turn into a large repair job.
- Heating System- The furnace will need replacing every 20 years for an oil furnace or 30 years for an electric one. If the ductwork contains grates, these must be cleaned out yearly or else you will lose heat inside the home. It is also recommended to have a professional look at your heating system once a year. If you are unsure if your heating system needs to be replaced then it is always best to check this out with a professional.
- Electrical System- If there is any faulty wiring in your house this is something that should be addressed by a professional. The electrical wiring can be checked by an electrician or DIY in the home. It is important to have these repairs done yearly along with noise and air testing, which will prevent unwanted electrical shocks and fire hazards. It is also important to have annual maintenance checks on your electrical system along with the water heater and furnace.
- Exterior Foundations- In order for a house to be built, portions of the foundation must take place before the house goes up into the air. There are four types of foundations which include crawl space, slab, basement and pier foundation. The crawl space is built first followed by the slab, basement or pier foundation. If too much water gets into a home with a slab foundation from rain or snowmelt this can cause the home to crack. Basements are prone to flooding because they are built lower than ground level and have foundations set up around the perimeter of the building. It is important to protect your house from flooding efficiently by installing water drainage systems in order to divert excess water away from your home.
- Painting- Painting is usually done annually during spring or summertime when the exterior siding or clapboard walls need to be refreshed in color or removed altogether. There are four types of painting in which a homeowner would do on their house in the order below. The first type is the removal of old paint containing lead with a product such as LeadCheck. This should be done by someone trained or certified to handle this kind of hazardous material. The second type is removing old paint and repainting the stripped area with primer. Last, you will need to apply two coats of new paint to ensure a strong adhesion between the surface and the new layer of paint.
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If you are looking for new homes in the Austin Area, Sterling Sales & Service can help you. We have a number of new homes in Austin and surrounding areas that are available for showings. Our salespeople will meet with you to discuss your goals and answer all of your questions about the Austin housing market. Armed with all of this information we will be able to help you find the perfect new home using our exclusive knowledge about the housing market in Austin.
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Conclusion
Austin housing is filled with many options from new homes to new builds. At Sterling Sales & Service, we are confident that we can help you find a home that will suit your needs and your budget. Our sales team is highly trained and will have your needs in mind along with the current market trends so you will have a great chance of finding the perfect home for you, your family or your business.
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