Homeowners everywhere spend a fortune making their homes look beautiful. Sometimes, however, home horrors happen and all of that money and time can be wasted. It’s time to check your home insurance policies, roll up your sleeves, and deal with the nasties that might be lurking in your house:
Mold And Mildew
Mold and mildew can be more harmful than you think. Breathing in the spores that can be released into the air can cause chest infections and complications if your health is already poor. Not all mildew or mold is easy to spot. The most obvious signs of a problem are those black, gray and brown stains in the corners, or around the bathroom tiles. Pink mold can also be lurking in your tub and around your taps. Nasty stuff! Steam is the safest approach to killing it, although bleach will whiten the stain again.
To prevent these nasties turning up, check your guttering when it rains. If it’s overflowing or leaking onto your brickwork, damp can penetrate your home resulting in mold. It can also erode the bricks over time, so it should be fixed straight away. Use your extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom every time you run the hot tap or boil water. You can use a hygrometer to check your interior humidity levels are kept low.
Pests
Insects, termites, rats, and mice can all be lurking in large numbers in your home. You might never see them, but chances are you’ll hear them. You might smell them as well. Unfortunately, these little critters don’t live for long. If they die in your property, the stench could become overwhelming. Finding them is tough if they’re between the walls or under the floors. You should find the best exterminators you can to deal with this kind of situation.
To reduce the risk of infestation, make sure any wood treatments for your home are up to date. Block external holes and gaps to stop them getting in. Always vacuum up crumbles as soon as possible so you can cut off their food source. Finally, try a sonic deterrent. You won’t be able to hear it but the little blighters will hate to go anywhere near them.
Leaks
Not only could leaks lead to the mold and mildew we don’t want, but it could damage the home too. Holes in the roof can easily let rain in. This will then drip down onto ceilings and perhaps run across them to more vulnerable points. Over time, the water saturation will cause substantial damage to the plaster, wood, and even the brick work. The last thing you want is for the ceiling to fall down or your brand new basement renovation to flood.
Other leaks can come from damaged pipework or drippy taps. Not only does the noise drive you mad, but the cost of all that lost water can soon add up. Finding a leak isn’t always easy. If you’re seeing a lot of water coming in, it’s time to turn off the supply at the mains and get a plumber to permanently fix the problem. Try a dehumidifier to help you dry the place out again.
