When it comes to home maintenance and repair, deciding where to start can be a daunting task. Beyond the "fix-it-after-it-breaks" emergency situations, prioritizing preventative maintenance can be a bit challenging.
When looking at the laundry list of potential home repairs for your house, you'll want to move to the top items that threaten your family's safety and security, and the structure of your home and its critical systems.
Safety First
Potential safety concerns should always be fixed as soon as they are identified. Any problem area in your home that could adversely affect the health or well-being of your family members or pets is not a "to-do" list item that you schedule when time and budget allows.
Some of the most commonly needed "safety" home repairs include:
• Railings and banisters: Ensure all hardware is securely fastened to the wall or support structures to prevent serious falls. Split or worn railings should be replaced with new hardware.
• Walkway cracks/uneven walkways: Outdoor footpaths are often overlooked, but cracked or wobbly walkways can easily lead to slip-and-fall injuries.
• Smoke detectors: Smoke detectors should be tested monthly as part of your home safety plan, and batteries should be replaced semi-annually. Consider adding additional smoke detectors in bedrooms or guest rooms where they do not already exist.
• Lighting: When lights burn out in walkways and stairwells, move quickly to replace the bulbs to prevent any potential night-time slips or falls.
• Porch steps: A porch step that falters or feels springy may be on the verge of giving out, potentially leading to a nasty landing. Secure loose steps as soon as the issue is noticed, and repair any stairs that show signs of wear or structural issues. • Electrical outlets: Outlets should be periodically tested to ensure the ground-fault circuits are working.
In my next post we will explore the "security" items on the list.
Until Next Time,
Susan
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