Home Repair and Maintenance
Once you've finally settled in, you may start to view your
home with a more objective eye. Perhaps there are things you'd
like to change — the kitchen cabinets or the flooring, for
instance. Perhaps there are things that require repair, such
as the plumbing or the windows. You will soon realize that
maintenance, repair and renovations are a normal part of homeownership.
Perform Regular Maintenance and Repair
By doing regular maintenance and taking care of small repairs
right away, you'll avoid more costly repairs down the road.
One of the best things you can do is get to know your new
home. Here are some things you need to know:
- Your home is made up of various components that work together.
These include mechanical systems (heating, air conditioning
and ventilation) and the building envelope (foundations,
floors, walls, windows, doors and roof ).
- You need to learn enough about the major mechanical systems
of your home to be able to perform routine maintenance and
handle various emergencies. Every adult member of your household
should know the location of the following:
- Main shutoff valves for water and fuel
- Emergency switch for the furnace or burner
- Hot water heater thermostat
- Main electrical switch
- Fuse box or circuit breaker box
- Renovations targeted at increasing energy-efficiency may
affect appliances exhausting by a chimney. Check chimney
performance if you tighten the envelope or add exhaust fans.
- Moisture, heat and air pressure must be balanced to ensure
a healthy home.
Remember that homes, like people, get old. It's a good idea
to inspect your home regularly and replace or repair parts
and materials that wear out with use and time. And remember
that since different components of your home work together
and affect each other, minor repairs can quickly become major
ones if they are not immediately taken care of.
You will probably be able to do many of the repairs yourself.
However, if you feel you cannot handle the job on your own,
it is best to call an expert. No matter who carries out the
repair, remember that the work has to be well done. Bad materials
and poor workmanship will end up costing you more in the end.
Don't forget to keep records of any repairs and improvements
you make.
Home Improvements
Besides doing regular maintenance and repairing your home,
you will also want to consider renovating or making improvements.
These changes will not only make the home more pleasant for
you to live in, they may also increase its value.
Change is good but be careful not to go overboard unless you
plan to stay in your home for many years. If you are planning
to sell your house, you also have to ensure that the changes
don't make your home worth a lot more than the other homes
around you. Remember that the value of your home is closely
related to the other homes in your area.
Here are some things to keep in mind when planning a change
or renovation:
- Think about how changes would appeal to someone buying
your home in the future. You can make very personalized
changes with paint because it is inexpensive and can easily
be changed. However, things like flooring, cabinets and
countertops have a longer life — make choices that will
also be appealing to others.
- Updating the bathrooms and kitchens in an older home can
increase its resale value.
- Don't underestimate the importance of landscaping. The
right planting can improve the appearance and value of your
home.
- Updating your exterior paint, installing new roofing,
resurfacing your walkways and driveway, adding attractive
mailboxes and front-yard planting will also help make your
home more appealing.
- Over time, some renovations can practically pay for themselves,
especially if they result in savings on utility bills, a
higher selling price or years of greater comfort and enjoyment
in your home!
Make Sure Your Home is Fully Secure
- Change all the locks when you buy a new home.
- Add dead-bolt locks and window locks where necessary.
- Consider getting a security system. Your property insurance
rate may be lower if you have one.
- Use outdoor lighting. You can get lights that turn on
automatically every evening or motion-sensor lights that
come on when someone walks by. However, use outdoor lighting
judiciously to be more energy-efficient.
- When you are away from home, use lights and radios on
automatic timers and arrange to have your mail and newspapers
picked up or discontinued. This way, people won't be able
to tell that you are not home.
- Get to know your neighbours and keep an eye out for each
other.
Be Prepared and Stay Safe
Have a fire evacuation plan and make sure everyone in your
home knows how to get out of the home from each room in case
of a fire. If you have a second floor, you need a special
escape plan to get to the ground. Check to see that windows
have not been painted shut. Although doors and windows should
always be securely locked, you have to be able to open them
in an emergency.
A few tips:
Fire extinguishers must be easily accessible at all
times. If you have a two-storey home, there should be one
on each floor. Remember to check your fire extinguishers at
least once a year. To help you remember, make a habit of doing
it when you set your clocks to Daylight Saving Time.
In some areas, it is a legal requirement to have smoke
detectors in your home. Even if they are not, you will
still want them in your home. Check the batteries at least
once a year. Carbon monoxide detectors are also important
to have. They will let you know if there are high levels of
carbon monoxide in your home, and can save you from illness
or death. To make sure that they are working properly, check
them at least once a year. It is a good idea to make a habit
of checking your fire extinguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors at the same time.
Paper, paint, chemicals and other clutter can be a fire hazard.
Make sure they are stored in a safe place. If you no longer
need them, hazardous materials must be disposed of at a community
toxic waste center. Never put them in the garbage.
Collect your important papers and store them in a safe place
— for example, a fireproof box or a safe deposit box.
Keep a list of emergency phone numbers (including 911, poison
prevention line, doctors, relatives, neighbours and friends)
close to the phone and make sure your children are aware of
it.
Kingston Home Buyers Guide
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