Tips for summer home maintenance

Regular home maintenance is critical to protecting your investment. Not only does it ensure your home stays in good condition, but it also helps you avoid extensive and expensive damage to the structure and ensures your insurer won’t reject claims based on lack of maintenance.

For most of South Africa, it is the summer months that bring rain and, with it, discoveries of structural damage. These handy tips can help you avoid many of the problems associated with summer and make sure your home is in top shape for entertaining.

• Roof ready
  Holes and loose roof tiles or sheets allow the rain to enter your home and can quickly lead to disaster. It’s time to get on the roof to give it a proper inspection for any problem areas. Keep a particular eye out for defective waterproofing, misalignment and other damage.

• Keep the heat out
  If your home gets really hot during summer, it’s time to get into your roof space to check the health of your insulation. This essential material not only reduces heat escaping during winter, but also prevents the sun’s heat from radiating into the home through your roof.

• Clear out your gutters
  The importance of gutters really cannot be overstated. These simple structures don’t just give rainwater a path off your roof, but they also ensure the water run-off is diverted away from the home’s foundations preventing cracks and rising damp. Keep an eye out for built-up debris and ensure the flow through your downpipes are clear. Take the time to ensure your gutters and downpipes are securely fixed to your roof and walls to prevent structural damage.

• Make use of the rain
  With many provinces experiencing water shortages, now is a good time to consider ways to collect water for later use. Buckets or basins strategically placed under gutter downpipes can collect water to be stored in sealed containers for watering your garden or filling up your pool during those weeks of sunshine. Now might also be a good time to consider investing in a rainwater harvesting tank that not only collects and stores the water for you but also keeps it hygienic and algae-free.

• Prepare your pool
  If you’re lucky enough to have a swimming pool or an outdoor jacuzzi, then you know you have many happy hours ahead of you this summer. Give your pool and pump a good cleaning and ensure all filters are regularly cleared out properly to keep it running efficiently throughout the season. Now might also be a good time to consider getting a solid cover for your pool. These covers not only ensure safety but also reduce the amount of water evaporating under the hot summer sun, which will bring down your water bill.  

• Inspect your walls
  Take the time to examine both your internal and external walls for evidence of deteriorating plaster and rising damp. When caught early, these defects are easy to repair. However, if left, these problems can quickly expand and become expensive to fix. Pay particular attention to boundary walls and fences as these can be damaged during storms and your insurer will reject your claim if it’s found it wasn’t properly maintained.

• Treat your wood
  With all the rain, expect your wooden structures such as floors, windows, doors, decks and other structures to start expanding and cracking. Applying an appropriate sealant can help you avoid these problems and will ensure these fixtures and features look their best.

• Service your cooling
  Prepare yourself for heatwaves by giving the blades and grills of your ceiling, pedestal and desk fans a good cleaning. This will reduce your electricity consumption while improving the airflow. For air coolers and air conditioners, make sure to have the filters cleaned or replaced for energy-efficient operation. If your air conditioner hasn’t been serviced in the last year, getting someone in now will ensure your home gets the most cooling from its electricity usage.

According to the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance, most homeowners’ insurance claim complaints are due to repudiation based on poor maintenance and defective workmanship. Remember to keep written and photographic records of all maintenance done to your home, including invoices from service providers. This will come in handy should you need to demonstrate that your property has been regularly maintained when making an insurance claim.