How to Check the Health of Your Home
Houses are complex structures and can have serious health problems and pricey fixes. All homeowners have run into a similar situation, didn’t realize it till the last moment and were left with a high bill. We encourage everyone to gain as much knowledge of your house to recognize any incurring issues. Here are some ways you can check the health of your property right now.
Bring in the experts
To be able to seriously check the health of your home, there is much to know and constant awareness is needed. In the age of renovations, there are many tips and easy fixes online and in bookstores and having contractor friends is a bonus. Yet, if you don’t know what to do or what to look for and have suspicions there might be an issue, call in the appropriate services. The problems will be handled and it’s a great way for homeowners to learn more about their humble abode.
Just walk around the house
The best tip we can give on the subject is to perform regular perimeter checks and house walkthroughs. Keep an eye out for puddles that never dry up, the roof’s current condition, cracks along the sidewalks and foundation, loose railing and staples, basement moisture, the floor quality and stains in the walls. Make sure all doors and windows close and lock without any trouble and all toilets, faucets, and drains are working properly. Get to know your property well and handle any issues as soon as you can to avoid further damage.
How to check for leaks
Checking for leaks is actually easier than what most think and will make you be aware of your water meter. So, upon locating your water meter, make sure no water is being used inside or outside of your house. If the leak indicator (usually a small triangular shaped dial) rotates, water is somehow flowing through the pipes and is most likely a leak on the property. This easy test can avoid further water spread and finding a talented plumber can be done on our smartphones.
Signs of pests
A pest infestation needs to be taken care of immediately and fortunately, the signs are easy to see. Usually, you’ll see the critters roaming or discover their droppings, greasy tracks, and nests. There are many pest control companies that will do routine checks and can spot physical damage better than we can. If you want to wait for a more serious infestation, there are easy and affordable ways to scare insects and rodents away.
To keep ants out, spray lemon juice, cinnamon essential oil or peppermint at their entries points. Flypaper and flytraps will keep houseflies away from your food. Dish soap and vinegar will get rid of stink bugs, fruit flies and gnats. Roaches and rodents take the award for most difficult to keep out of the house but you can put up a good fight by keeping the house extra clean, eliminate entry points, use mouse traps, bait stations, and hungry cats
At home tests for air quality
Does it feel like your asthma or allergies have gotten worse? Have you or a family member fallen ill during an unusual time? These problems might be caused by poor air quality in your home. Many people aren’t aware that the air quality inside the house can be worse than outside. Mold, mildew, lead, cleaning products, and some fabrics are a few things that can pollute the air in your home (if you see mold, take immediate action). There are at-home tests available to sense for mold, allergens, formaldehyde and more. Or you can bring in a certified environmental inspector!
Another thing to keep in mind is the self-inflicted ways we compromise the air flowing through our homes. Don’t smoke in the house, install carbon monoxide detectors, don’t idle the car in the garage, use low-VOC paints, clean your air conditioner and dehumidifier, clean up after your pet (especially cats), avoid toxic cleaning products, ventilate your kitchen and bathroom and reduce carpeting.
Lead paint
Lead is no longer allowed in paint but if you live in a home built before 1978, it might be present. Never forget the older your home is, the higher the risk. Lead is neurotoxic and inhalation of fine particles can be dangerous, especially to children. Lead exposure is linked to a variety of illnesses like cancer, strokes, delayed puberty, stunted growth, lowered IQ and learning, and behavior disorders. There are swab tests you can do on your own and many professional services that can test and remove the lead paint.
Here at South Coast Property Management, Inc., we care about the health of your home and hope these tips will help. We definitely understand the subject can get overwhelming but we have you covered and there are many local businesses that can help. So, rest easy and enjoy your home.