A home is one of the most major investments that a person makes in a lifetime. Maintaining it and keeping it in a good condition can help you keep problems at bay. Maintaining the home and fixing issues in time can help make sure that your spare time is not marred by endless chores that involve taking care of pesky rodents or leaking faucets.
Here is a list of simple things that you can do to keep your home and yard in a good condition and avoid situations wherein you have to deal with a mess because of inaction at the right time.
1) Remove Pests
The piles of tools, lumber, yard waste, discarded material in the stores, etc. provide the perfect breeding grounds for pests. The stacks of abandoned material that has been put to one side proves to be a haven for rodents, spiders, and wood-boring insects. While firewood is commonly stored by stacking it under eaves of the house to keep it dry, there is a downside to this practice. The stacks of wood create a home for spiders as well as rats. Amend this in time by storing firewood at least two feet away from the house and 18 inches above the ground. It can be kept dry by building a small shelter over the pile to keep the dampness away. In addition to this, discourage the pests by clearing out vegetation that is in close proximity to the house as that gives these rodents a safe place to stay. Keep the garbage cans tightly sealed. Make sure the trash cans have tightly fitting lids. This would keep out rats, raccoons, or other pests and prevent them from entering your home. You can also invest in building or buying a small enclosure for your trash cans. Don’t allow water to stagnate around your garden as it serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
2) Pamper the Lawn
It might not be possible for you to have a lawn that can successfully emulate the tightly trimmed golf-course look, especially for people putting up in one bedroom flats in Manchester. The grass should not be either trimmed too much or too little. Mowing the lawn regularly not only keeps it clean, but also trains the grass to grow in a quicker fashion. This step discourages the growth of weeds. Water the lawn infrequently but deeply. If the plants have turned brown, don’t think it is because of lack of water and start watering the plants. Instead, leave it untouched for a while and then start over again by freshly fertilizing the ground and watering the plants from the start.
3) Clean the Sink Drains
The sink drains are one of the most neglected areas in any house. If the water in your sink takes a long time to get drained completely, take action. For a start, try and use a homemade drain cleaner. Make a solution of equal parts of salt, baking soda and vinegar. Pour this solution into the drain and chase it down with boiling water down the drain. This solution can be used on a monthly basis. The use of chemical cleaners should be avoided as they can damage the pipes and prove to be toxic to the family. Don’t throw the food in the sink and follow the clean-up process weekly.
4) Fix the Leaky Faucets and Take Care of Other Plumbing
The problem of leaky faucets is very common in Manchester flats. It is important that you devote time and effort to treating these minor glitches that if left untreated can lead to bigger problems. Check faucets for leaks routinely and install rubber gaskets if required. The process is very simple – just unscrew the faucet, remove the old gasket, replace it with a new one, and reassemble the parts. When you go about your hunt for Manchester City centre flats for sale, make sure you give the plumbing of the house utmost importance. Plumbing gone wrong can do a lot of damage to the house and mar the entire beauty and the livability of the place.
5) Clean and Replace the Grout and Caulk
Dirt and grime gets accumulated in different areas of the house, particularly on the bathrooms and kitchen tiles. Grout needs to be cleaned regularly, especially if it comes in contact with moisture. This goes a long way in keeping the area free from stains and mold. An old toothbrush can be used along with one of the cleaning products – TSP, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, vinegar, or commercially available grout cleaning solutions. The area around sinks, bath tubs, and showers should be inspected. The spots where caulk has cracked and separated can be treated using silicone tub and tile caulk.
The points listed above can help you to effectively maintain your house in Manchester. For further assistance, you can rely on professionals to provide you with the exact service. However, regular maintenance can help you avoid the exuberant costs demanded by such professionals by not letting the problem surface or become big in the first place.