A household is more than just a comforting environment you retire to every night and a place you watch your children grow up, it’s also quite a complex construction that requires appropriate maintenance throughout the year.
Photo by Max Rahubovskiy
As such, the homeowner’s task is not just to decorate the house how they see fit (and minor efforts like keeping it clean when you can), but also to make certain small problems won’t grow and become major issues.
However, outside of proving you can afford the mortgage repayments and onboarding with the correct insurance packages for your needs, you’re rarely given a guide to running a household or told the specific concerns you should have with your own property.
For this reason, homeowner’s experience is just that, experience, and you’ll usually learn as you go. That said, foresight works wonders, and so in this guide, we hope to discuss some warning signs that could indicate damage, danger, or the need for steady repair. Without further ado, please consider some of the following advice about what household warning signs to watch for from a guest writer:
Pools Of Water Outside (Or Atop) Your Property
It may seem as though a pool of water could just evaporate, but this will often seep into the ground, potentially causing leaks, rot, and unnecessary weight on important structures. For instance, if you notice water pooling on your roof then the drainage and runoff solutions aren’t working as they should, which can cause structural damage and even leaks. For this reason, hiring a roofing company for your home to inspect and repair any issues, including runoff, will help you prevent a wider problem before it begins.
Banging, Whirring, Or Clunking Sounds
Every house makes noises, from the central heating coming on each morning to the sound of pipes in winter. However, if you’ve noticed extra clunks, thuds, bangs, or whirrs, then it could be a system in your home that is struggling. For instance, clicking pipes can often suggest an issue with water pressure, while AC units that might be struggling to keep up with demand (or are in need of servicing) may bang. It’s important to not just ignore the issue, but get to the source of it, and record when and how it happens. This will help you resolve the issue, sometimes preventing a full system failure.
Persistent Foul Smells
Foul smells are never nice to experience, but they can be a sign of real issues in the household. Sometimes, an eggy smell in your bathroom can refer to a drain blockage or plumbing issue which needs to be resolved. Of course, gas smells should inspire you to switch off your gas entirely until the issue is found, calling in outside help. Burning smells could signify an appliance or socket in a state of disrepair. If a foul smell occurs, make sure to isolate the source, even if it’s just a piece of food that accidentally rolled behind the refrigerator and needs to be cleaned.
With this advice, you’re sure to avoid leaving household smells to chance, instead ensuring you work on worthwhile solutions. Pay attention to household warning signs!