House Maintenance

I will own a house soon (via ProFriends) and I might live on my own (that is not final yet). Like cars, I think homes must be maintained as well. Apart from daily and weekly cleaning, homes must be maintained, too, in terms of expanse like drainage, pest control, mold control, and fireproofing. Here are what I learned via the ever reliable Internet.

Drainage Maintenance

Never neglect proper care for drainage or sewage. Anything flushed down the toilet, shower drain, and sink will end up in the public sewer system; thus, flooding on the streets. Also, having clogged drains will definitely be a hassle. It will be sucked up and the things that would be found will surely be smelly and unsightly. Horrific, right? Not to mention the nightmarish bill that needs to be paid for such a service. To avoid such a major de-clogging, be sure to have a reliable expert come to your home from time to time to check your drainage system.

Pest Control

Ahh pests. They’re abundant especially in the city. Rats, mosquitoes, and cockroaches. They can invade the suburbs, too, especially your home if you aren’t tidy. Sometimes, termites can be a problem, too. My dad told me to be careful of banana trees. He said that termites love to live in the roots because it’s softer compared to other trees. My Profriends home would be cemented but still, I wouldn’t want to have termites living next to me. If other pests like ants and roaches are invading your home, best call pest control.

Mold Control

Molds can be destructive and unhealthy. It can damage precious wooden furniture. It may produce allergens that may cause health problems to tenants as well. Once mold spores lands on a wet or moist surface, that’s when it will appear. But mold spores may still float in the air so have an expert help you with that once mold invades your home.

Fireproofing

As they say, “mas mabuti pang manakawang ng 10 beses kaysa masunugan ng bahay” or something like that. Not only does fire destroy homes, it also causes greenhouse effect. It damages the home and the very primary home we all have, the earth. Avoid fire by preventing it. How?

Get a smoke alarm

It can help you quickly detect the place of fire and may be even put it out. If not, at least you’ll know where to run since you know where the fire is.

Strategically place fire extinguishers

Invest in fire extinguishers and place them in places that may be prone to fire (kitchen, outdoor barbecue area, entertainment room, etc). Be sure to have someone teach you all about it and how to use it.

Purchase quality appliances

Don’t take risks. Only buy appliances that are well-trusted and have really good reviews.

Declutter

The more cluttered things are, the more fire will catch on and grow bigger. Also, dusty places or objects are more prone to fire. Always clean your home, okay?

Get a Fireproof Safe

Invest in a sturdy and fireproof safe. Place valuable items and important documents there so that you won’t have to worry about getting those out in case of fire. It’s going to be like the black box (in reference to airplane) of your home.

Hide Potential Fire-Causing Objects

If you have children, teach them what not to touch or play with. Conceal those things well because you never know when they become naughty and try to disobey you.