A home is a big investment in your life, in fact probably the biggest. So, you want to make sure you are protecting and safeguarding that investment the very best you can.
You don’t need to be a carpenter, a builder or electrician to do this. There are simple and effective things you can do yourself to help protect your home from wear and tear. Use these tips to help you protect your investment and your home.
- Protection from the sun
For the majority of us, spending a prolonged period in the sun is likely to cause some damage. It’s no different for your home. No, your home won’t suffer from sunburn or blisters, but prolonged exposure to the sun may well cause other significant wear and tear.
To protect your floors, carpets and furniture start to think about your window furnishings. Try curtain fabric suppliers to find the right material and style for your home. Fabric curtains are a great way to allow some light when you want it but block out the harmful wear and tear prolonged sunlight can have on your home. This will ensure carpets last longer, furniture doesn’t fade and floor coverings are also protected.
- Gutter Screens
It is one of the first areas that will be effected when the wet season comes to town. Clean out your gutters. Many either forget or choose to leave this job until “another time”. The wear and tear which can be caused from blocked gutters is no laughing matter.
With all this in mind, instead of having to run up the ladder every other weekend, instead consider gutter screening or mesh. Gutter screens are a fantastic way to protect your home from the wear and tear associated with flooded gutters. You will stop any water getting into your walls or roof cavities and the best part is – you can do this entire job yourself. Any good hardware store will stock a range of options to suit most budgets.
- Insulate your pipes
If you live in an area which experiences particularly cold winters, and I mean cold, then you are always open to the potential of pipes freezing. This can cause any number of issues and a lot of wear and tear on your plumbing. Instead of having to call out the plumber when it’s too late, avoid that large invoice and act early.
Insulating pipes which are exposed to the elements can help avoid that wear and tear. The added benefit of insulation is you can do it yourself. Insulate any pipes which run through the home and outside. It is a simple, effective and relatively inexpensive way to protect your home from the ravages of winter, as well as wear and tear.
- Landscape for protection as well as style
Exterior house paint has come a long way since its first lead based days.
These days you can purchase specifically manufactured paints which will help protect your home from the wear and tear of sun, rain, wind and most weather conditions. However, one of the more forgotten wear and tear elements can be air pollution.
If you live near a major road or thoroughfare, then air pollutants such as car exhausts can have a significant impact on the wear and tear to the exterior of your home. To prevent this, use a simple landscaping tip you can do yourself.
Wherever you home faces the road or street, plant some screening plants or hedges to absorb some of those pollutants. Not only will this help prolong the time between repaints, but it will also add a little privacy to your home. Plant hedges that require little maintenance and which you can prune to grow into the shape and style you want. If you are willing to wait, smaller bunches won’t break the bank and if treated properly will grow quickly.
Your home may well be the biggest investment you ever make, so why wouldn’t you want to protect it. Use these simple tips to help protect your home from wear and tear, ensuring you can enjoy that investment for a long time to come.