Home Improvement Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Home Cleaning’

Dampness can lead to dry and wet rot which, if not properly treated, will cause a great deal of damage to the structure of a house. Dry rot, in particular, spreads rapidly and must be tackled immediately it is discovered.

Once there is an indication of dry rot, check all vulnerable parts of the house, looking for defects that allow damp to infiltrate through the roof, walls and floor. Examine the chimneys, downpipes and gutters, pointing, rendering and masonry. Check the level of soil in relation to the damp proof course and airbricks. If the house has been flooded or burst pipes have soaked timbers, be sure to check the wood has dried out. Read the rest of this entry »

There is a lot you can do to minimize the risk of insect or rodents encroaching into your home. The invaders seek food and warmth and are attracted by unhygienic conditions, so regular and thorough cleaning of all floors to remove food deposits and fluff is essential. Inspect the loft for dead birds and nests and clean out cupboards regularly.

You should never leave any food waste or other rubbish in the house – seal it in bags and put it in the dustbin. Keep the dustbin away from doors and windows and make sure it is kept clean and the lid is tightly closed; you should burn extra rubbish if the dustbin is full.

Fill any gaps in the structure of the house through which rodents could enter. Make sure the house is free from damp since this is a source of pest problems; inspect the underside of baths, the backs of sinks and other likely damp areas.

Even in the kitchen you should never leave food uncovered – keep it in sealed containers; kitchen surfaces and shelves may look clean but any deposit of a sweet substances, for example, could lead to an invasion of ants.

A selection of pesticides for dealing with insects and rodents is available in hardware stores, builders merchants and department stores; the applicators contain special chemical. Branded products usually have names which are descriptive of their use, so you should have no trouble in finding a suitable product once you have diagnosed your particular pest problem.

It has comprised a difficult winter for many areas of the country. As the weather condition warms up, it’s tempting to think of spring as an end to all our troubles. But spring adds its own challenges, specially to your home. If you dwell in an area that experiences “April showers,” you’ll want to secure your roof and gutters are ready for the downpours. And before it comes hot, be sure your central air is equal to the task of chilling your home whole summer.

When spring begins, you first need to examine your roof. Most roofs are made of asphalt shingles over tar paper, or “felt.” Search cracked, loose, or scalded felt. Look also for loose or cracked shingles. If you find troubles, talk to a pro, or if you have the tools and don’t mind heights, refer a how-to guide and repair your roof yourself. But if you are not sure can do it yourself, you should call a roofing contractor to inspect your roof.

On the fall and winter, leaves, sticks, mud, and all kinds of things find out their way into your gutters, specially if you don’t have gutter covers. Before the spring rains, clear out your gutters and flow some water into them to test if they’re working the right way. As you’re cleaning your gutters, sustain that they’re securely attached to the house. If you find a loose gutter, fasten it up. Using a garden hose with a spray nozzle, flow water into your gutters to make sure they’re working properly. If you find a passing water, you can patch it yourself or call in a professional.

A different significant thing to do when spring is to check and clean your air conditioning. Most central air problems can be derived to dirty air conditioners. At the very least, debris and dust brings down the efficiency of your system. Vacuum the dust out of the evaporator (that’s the part that’s
inside your house, usually in the basement). Make sure to check the filter and replace it if it’s dirty. Even if you have easy access to the unit, you should have a pro check and maintain it every few years. If cleaning your air conditioning sounds like a lot of work, or if you don’t have the tools, you can call an air conditioning contractor to come out and clean and service your air conditioner.