If you are a really busy person, this Easter may be the salvation time for all those repairs that have been screaming for attention in your home.
Because home maintenance can involve little tasks that are easy to put off, so they can easily burgeon into major repairs that involve calling in a handyman or even an expensive home assistance provider.
The Overgrown Sidewalk?
According to a study by HomeServe, a home assistance provider, it was suggested that in the past two years, many of us have not done some basic maintenance checks, not even repairs, in our homes.
The study further stated that 50% of us have pipe leaks, 32% have clogged radiators, and 40% have blockages in our drains.
Shield Yourself From the Cold
To make matters worse, 42% of homes have the appropriate insulation. By implication, well over half are not draught-proof.
Putting off these little tasks not only results in further damage to property but may also cause health hazards. In the UK, the Association of British Insurers reported a marked increase in cases of plumbing damage after a recent bout of low temperatures.
Please Help Me Out!
Likewise, HomeServe found that the prevalent cause of putting off home repairs is not necessarily lack of time. However, in 30% of the cases, HomeServe found that the concerned parties claimed they didn’t know how to do the repairs.
After making this research finding, Chris Houghton, a home expert at HomeServe, said, “We understand that home maintenance might not be for everyone for a number of reasons.”
Quick Fixes Here
However, Houghton was glad to announce that homeowners with at least basic knowledge of home maintenance can save time and money.
Luckily, many major home repairs that dig holes in your pocket are preventable. So, engineers from HomeServe have offered tips on the minor fixes to give priority, which will yield great rewards.
Never Again Shudder at the Thought of Having a Bath
During cold seasons, you may find that the water running through your bathroom faucet may not be as warm as you want it to be. Naturally, the pipes get colder in cold seasons and cause hot water to lose its heat faster.
So, the advice is to squeeze the faucet knob, to reduce the water flow. Doing this will keep the water in the boiler longer.
Eyes On the Gauge!
The recommended operating pressure of boilers varies depending on the manufacturer. Nonetheless, it is important to keep an eye on it to keep your boiler operating at its optimum.
As a reminder, you can mark the pressure gauge with a pen to help monitor the upper and lower limits. Most boilers operate best between 1.0 and 2,0 bar. “What is bar?” we hear you ask. It is the unit for measuring pressure, often written on the gauge.
Your Pipe Caught the Flu?
Plumbing experts would often recommend insulating the pipes running through your home. As we mentioned earlier, pipes are prone to breakages in extremely cold weather.
So, insulate your pipes to avoid driving to a hardware store in a harsh blizzard. If you’re saving money to install the insulation, you can wrap parts of your piping exposed to the elements in a towel.
How to Clear a Clogged Toilet
HomeServe says most of the home maintenance calls they receive are for blocked toilets. They were kind enough to suggest resolving this crisis without calling anyone.
HomeServe recommends wrapping a plastic carrier bag firmly over a mop head. Armed with this DIY tool, plunge gently and repeatedly into the toilet. After a few attempts, the toilet will free up.
Caveat Emptor
Draught-proofing your home is always heat—and cost-efficient. To achieve this, simply fill in cracks in the wall and seal openings in doors, windows, and the attic.
However, some maintenance comes with expensive collateral damage, so don’t attempt to do them yourself. For example, it is not advisable to fix gas leakages yourself; please call a professional!