Your Home - An Investment To Take Care Of
By Michael Russell

Home repairs are something that could be just a nuisance factor , or if you re unlucky, they could be or become very costly affairs. Regular inspection and maintenance is what is needed to prevent minor problems from developing into costly repairs. In this way, small problems can be prevented from developing into something that requires the costly intervention of a professional. Any homeowner with a little bit of basic knowledge can carry out most of these small repairs. Obviously though, it is important to have the right tools for the job. It is important too, to recognize your limitations and where necessary, to call in the professionals. Tackling a job for which you are not qualified or experienced in could result in it costing more than if you had just called in the professional in the first place. Let s take a look at a few of the simpler D.I.Y. jobs that you can do around your home, as well as which regular maintenance checks should be carried out.

One of the most common problems, which can be handled personally, is to repair leaking taps. This usually occurs as a result of a worn out tap washer, however it could also be because the tap seat has corroded and prevents the washer from sealing completely. Until a few years ago, you would have had to obtain a special tap-reseating tool to repair the problem. Now however, you can purchase nylon reseating inserts, which are inexpensive and easy to install. Be sure to purchase the correct size for the tap you are repairing.

Here s how to do the job. Switch off your water supply. Remove the tap head with the appropriate wrench. Run your fingertip over the seat of the tap and you will feel if there is a problem there. Insert the new seat and gently tap it into place with a piece of wooden dowel stick or the plastic handle of a screwdriver, so as not to damage the seat. It s usually best to replace the washer at the same time. Refit the tap head and your job is done.

Another potentially expensive repair, that could be avoided by some preventive maintenance, is the blocked drain. The cause is usually a build up of the fats and food particles that go out with the dishwashing water. The most obvious cure is to use a plug strainer in the sink itself. However, I know from personal experience that one tends to neglect this simple activity. The best thing to do then is to purchase a gully strainer. This is a cylindrical strainer that fits into the gully head. It replaces the circular grate that is standard in a gully. The grate, though effective for leaves and larger objects, is no good for the smaller food particles.

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The roof of your house is another area where regular inspections can prevent larger problems from developing. A leaking roof results in costly damage to ceiling boards and even in some cases to the electrical wiring that is found there. Depending on the type of roof structure, repairs can easily be done yourself. If you have a tiled roof, it is relatively easy to replace broken tiles. A tip for home owners with tiled roofing is to keep a supply of spare tiles, the reason being that sometimes, a manufacturer will discontinue a particular range or color of tile.

The roof timbers also need to be inspected on a regular basis for problems such as dry rot, termite or borer beetle infestations, which if found to be present, are best left to the experts to deal with.

Although it does not actually fall under the classification of home repairs, painting is a maintenance project that can be carried out personally. If however you have had NO experience, then rather enlist the help of someone who does know something about it.

In conclusion, remember that the old saying, prevention is better than cure , applies very much to your home, which is possibly your largest investment and asset and as such should be treated with care.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Home Repair.

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