A Simple & Practical Guide to Property Maintenance

No matter if you’ve got a small flat or big family house, every house needs a little TLC to make it feel safe, clean and welcoming. Walls get marked, gardens get overgrown and little problems creep up on you when you’re not paying attention after a while. It can’t be too difficult to stay on top of it, though. With a few sense-making routines and a simple system, any house can stay in top shape without being overwhelming.

Why Maintenance Matters

A well-tended property is not just more visually appealing; it is cost-effective, value-protecting and makes everyone who resides there and visits feel more comfortable. Making do with worn parts is unavoidable, but abandonment makes them expensive repairs. From keeping heating systems in good order to prevent damp from seeping into corners, regular checks keep the surprises to a minimum.

There is also the feeling of tranquility that you get from knowing your investment or home is in your care. No mad dashes when the boiler is going to pack in or a gutter is overflowing in a storm. Maintenance is not about perfection but about creating a living space that works for real life.

Start with the Fundamentals

It may seem like a lot at first, but dividing it into areas at a time makes it all worthwhile. Jot down the obvious tasks and create a basic list. These are the tasks that are definitely worth doing:

• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors periodically.
• Clear gutters to avoid leaks and puddles.
• Inspect taps and toilets for leaks and fix dripping ones immediately.
• Look for evidence of mould, especially in the bathroom and kitchen.
• Clear paths to walk and weed-pulling to prevent slipping and tripping.
• Bleed radiators and heat service systems before winter.

It’s often these small, regular inspections that are the most productive in keeping a home in top shape and pleasant to live in.

Keeping It Clean and Neat

There is a satisfaction in returning home to a clean home that has a good scent and is presented well. A weekly dust, vacuum, surface wipe and floor clearing of clutter can turn an otherwise untidy house. Even the fact that there is a supply of Hoover vacuum cleaner bags handy means the job’s been done effectively without stress. Clean filters and regular emptying of bins will also leave a room smelling fresh, especially in family homes with children or pets.

Deep clean every few months – windows, curtains, the backs of appliances – keep things clean without being a huge headache. Broken down into small chunks, cleaning becomes a habit rather than a headache.

Outside Counts Too

A home’s exterior should also be considered. Weeds in the garden, broken paving and loose roofing tiles are all things that can make a home look and feel less appealing. Regularly mow lawns, trim back hedges and clear leaves to present an outward view of neatness. Check fences and gates for stability and grease squeaky hinges. If there is a shed or garage, clean it up and keep it dry.

Taking care of outside paintwork also makes all the difference. Touching up or recoating where needed prevents wood from rotting and maintains the house’s appearance as if it were truly loved.

Working with Shared Spaces

For apartment or flat dwellers, there is typically shared responsibility for communal areas. This is where the body corporation comes in handy, being responsible for things like building fronts, corridors and communal gardens. Although individual space still needs to be maintained as before, it’s worth keeping an eye on communal space too and reporting any defects so they can be repaired before they reach a crisis point. Clean communal space is good for everyone and makes the property more appealing to visitors and perhaps buyers.

Small Things that Matter a Lot

Good maintenance is not necessarily synonymous with big projects. There are numerous rapid fixes which cause a home to operate daily:

• Replace blown lightbulbs as soon as possible to keep areas safe and well-illuminated.
• Oil door hinges to stop that annoying squeak.
• Tighten loose handles and knobs so they cannot be unscrewed.
• Clear drains by flushing them with boiling water every now and then.
• Check and replace damaged weatherstripping around windows and doors so that draughts are prevented.

Little, tender tasks like these create a warm, cherished home without costing a lot of time or money.

Planning Ahead

It is helpful to consider maintenance as something that is continuous, not something that you do once. With a simple calendar of seasonal maintenance, surprises can be avoided – like inspecting roof tiles and gutters before winter storms, or servicing air conditioning before a hot summer. Saving a bit each month for repairs also makes the impact of any surprise problem less drastic.

Maintenance of a property does not necessarily mean trying to be perfect. It is all about making a space to feel warm, functional and inviting, and looking after the investment that you’ve put so much effort into. A small amount of care, spread across the year, can make a big difference to making any property feel like home.