With a great home comes great responsibility. As seasoned Home Buddies and Kapitbahays, we know how much love and care your humble abode requires. But it’s easier said than done sometimes, because “love and care” requires us to get down to the nitty-gritty — from ugly, chipped paint to leaky, smelly pipes. Not so romantic-sounding now, ano?
Thankfully, the new year offered us an obvious opportunity to check back to the slate. Home maintenance isn’t necessarily annual, but regularly keeping track of the important stuff makes it easier to watch out for red flags every now and then. So, without further ado, here’s a maintenance checklist to ensure your dream home doesn’t turn into a mojo dojo casa house.
Inspect Your Plumbing
Let’s start with the most obvious and arguably annoying to deal with: plumbing issues. They often arise unexpectedly, leading to damage, mold growth, and foul odors. And, if left unchecked for a while, the repairs can be quite costly. Aabot pa ba tayo sa point na ‘yon? Of course not, if you can help it!
Examine for signs of leaks, corrosion, rust, or sediment buildup, especially in exposed pipes. Signs of these include unusual sounds, unlikely leaks, changes in water pressure, and — if you’re unlucky — a higher water bill (yikes). Be thorough in your checks, whether it’s faucets, toilets, or your kitchen sink. Early detection can save you from extensive damage and expenses down the line.
Check Your Walls and Windows
Even though it's not obvious, walls can make or break the look of a room. So if they’re neglected or filled with cracks, stains, or peeling paint, it doesn’t matter how nice your decor looks — the rest of your room will follow suit. Aanhin pa ang magandang kurtina kung ang pader ay 'di maganda? Aside from estetik reasons, gaps and cracks can be early signs of structural issues or water damage. Walls are your home's foundation — delikado na if you let issues like these slide.
Similarly, check your windows for damaged seals or signs of condensation. By being mindful of these signs, you’re preventing possible damage and making sure no mosquitoes are allowed in the vicinity of your home. Plus, during the monsoon season, you wouldn’t want rainwater to find its way indoors. Ensure to ward off issues like these to maintain a dry, safe, and lamok-free home.
Fix Up Those Wooden Fixtures
We adore our fair share of Team Kahoy fixtures, but we’re also the first to know that wood requires some degree of upkeep. For instance, wood fixtures may leave your home susceptible to unwelcome guests like fungi or termites. These annoying occurrences are usually caused by moisture on wood and may pose a safety risk on your family's health. When you see any signs of (unwanted) life in them, call a trusted exterminator before it worsens.
It also goes without saying, but anything wood — if left unmaintained — can compromise your home’s structural integrity. This means your fixtures will not only be pangit to look at but also be a safety hazard. And of course, that’s the last thing we want! Take a moment to ensure that your wood fixtures are in tip-top shape to avoid termites, collapses, and other mishaps.
Mind Your Electricals and Appliances
Safety hazards ba kamo? Let’s tackle the household's number one cause of ka-praningan: electronics and appliances. Sure, we buy them sparingly because they cost the most relatively. But the moment we hear our electric fan whirring loudly or see our aircon leaking, we find ourselves internally groaning. You wouldn't want them to break in the middle of a very warm day, would you?
To avoid potential risks, check wiring, outlets, and switches consistently. Address any issues ASAP to prevent inconvenient equipment malfunctions or — in worse cases — scary electrical fires. Don’t be tipid in buying new electronics or appliances if need be. And finally, don’t DIY anything if you’re not confident — leave the electricity issues to the experts.
Keep Track of General Cleaning Sessions
Who doesn’t love a squeaky-clean home? We know we do, so we bring out our tita- or tito-ness by employing easy yet efficient routines we can do every week. You’re definitely on the right track if you're doing this step. Unfortunately, even if we spend every waking moment polishing every nook and cranny in the house, it won’t always be enough.
What you need is a regular deep-cleaning sesh. Since you’re ticking off your checklist, now’s a good time to hire professionals to deep-clean and sanitize your home. They have qualified knowledge and specialized equipment to pay attention to hidden dirt, allergens, or even hard-to-reach areas that tend to be overlooked during regular cleaning. Consider scheduling these cleaning sessions every six months or as often as needed.
Tapat Mo, Linis Mo
Even if your interiors are A+ level, you get minus points if your outdoors is makalat. Plus, a messy garden with overgrown plants, scattered debris, and neglected fixtures is just trouble waiting to happen. Just imagine you (or, arguably worse, your pet) taking a walk there — you could injure yourself with the debris or be bitten by unwanted visitors (such as creepy crawly insects, or worse, snakes!).
So, garden and backyard buddies, this one’s a reminder for you: Outdoor maintenance cannot be skipped. Our outdoor fixtures are more vulnerable to weather-related wear and tear and other environmental factors, so it pays to be more attentive to them. After all, cleanliness is just as important just your four walls.
Get More Maintenance Tips and Tricks with Home Buddies
There you have it! Remember that maintaining your home is the best thing you can do for it. Never mind the endless budols and decors, as much as we love them — the real care for our homes comes with how responsible we are in caring for them. This also extends to our household members, who deserve to feel safe and happy all the time.
Need more reminders on keeping your home in tip-top shape? Join Home Buddies on Facebook and hear about more tried-and-tested hacks from fellow Kapitbahays.
