Once you’ve purchased your new home, it is important to maintain it in a comfortable, safe and secure condition. Here is a simple maintenance guide to help you look after your home.
Weekly
- Regular housecleaning prevents mould, staining and pest infestation and detects dampness which may be a sign of potentially serious problems.
Monthly
- Clean and remove air conditioner filters in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions for efficient operation. Check that indoor and outdoor air vents are not blocked.
- Test smoke alarms and replace batteries or the entire unit as necessary.
- Flush water through unused drains to replenish the trap and contain sewer gases.
- Check water heater for leaks.
- Inspect sink, tub and shower drains for debris to prevent blockages.
- Inspect electrical cords for fraying and wear.
6 Monthly
- Wash windows, screens and external walls.
- Service pool and water supply pumps for tank/bore water should according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Clean exhaust fan grills and range hood filters to extend their life.
- Check around kitchen and laundry cabinetry and toilet for leaks/cracks to prevent decay damage with damp.
- Check that pool fences remain compliant with safety legislation.
- Inspect trees to determine whether they or their roots harbour timber pests or pose a threat to foundations, overhead power lines, plumbing, roofing or retaining walls.
- Check eaves, walls, subfloors for holes that may provide entry points for birds, rats, mice, possums and other pests.
- Check termite barriers for evidence of infestation.
Yearly
- Clean external walls to protect their condition, more regularly if near the seaside or heavy industry.
- Clean fireplaces and slow combustion wood heaters to prevent build-up of soot.
- Clean carpets to keep them in good sanitary condition.
- Clean ceiling fans to prevent buildup of dust and grime.
- Check for signs of concrete cancer which can occur when metal reinforcements within concrete expand due to corrosion with exposure to moisture which may get into cracks causing the concrete to disintegrate.
- Clear guttering, traps and down pipes of leaves and debris to prevent blockages which may result in corrosion, backflow of rainwater into the roof space and conditions conducive to timber pests.
- Inspect roof for missing, loose or damaged tiles, metal sheet corrosion, deterioration to metal flashings and leaks.
- Service air conditioners as recommended by manufacturer.
- Touch up external paint.
5 Years
- Paint interior and exterior walls to protect and extend life of cladding.
- Reseal timber or stone floors to protect them from damage.
10 Years
- Replace smoke alarms which have a finite life.
- Replace vinyl flooring as necessary.
- Replace carpet as necessary.
As Required
- Replace light bulbs.
- Lubricate door and gate hinges to prevent them becoming stiff and unserviceable.
- Service door locks and handles to keep them serviceable.
- Replace cracked tiles and repair tile grouting and silicon sealant.
- Replace tap washers.
- Inspect the roof particularly after heavy rains and storms for cracked or missing tiles/capping mortar, dents or holes and consult a roofing specialist to prevent water ingress.
- Call pest controllers to deal with signs of infestation by rats, mice, possums, snakes, cockroaches, termites etc. which pose health and safety risks.
Do you have a question?
This is a guide only, if you have serious maintenance issues you can call Auspect Building & Pest Consultants on 07 5668 2279 and we’d be happy to answer your questions.