“A Stitch in Time Saves Nine”
As a child I used to wonder how you could put a ‘stitch in time’.
At some point I realised this proverbial wisdom was talking about fixing a problem before it got worse – not the plot of a Dr Who episode.
It’s sound advice when it comes to the down-to-earth task of house maintenance.
Good home maintenance can save you a lot of money and a world of trouble.
Maintaining a home is something most of us acknowledge is important. It’s also one of those things that tends to get forgotten in the busyness of life.
That’s where a little planning can go a long way.
As we carry out pre-purchase building inspections across the Nelson region, we see a lot of problems that could have been avoided if simple maintenance routines had been put in place.
We’re passionate about quality building and great living environments – but there’s no such thing as a maintenance-free house. Even in Nelson’s pleasant climate, the exterior of your house will take a beating over the years.
Spotting problems and fixing them before they get worse just makes sense. In this series we’re going to share some home and building maintenance tips that will help you on your way to becoming a DIY home maintenance guru!
The Benefits of Having a Well Maintained Home
For many Kiwis, our home will likely be our biggest investment. Just like any other valuable asset, our homes need to be protected.
Aside from preserving your investment, there are some other good reasons to schedule regular house maintenance.
A Well Maintained Home is a Healthier Home
The indoor living environment is a major contributor to our health and well-being. This is not only about good design, choice of materials and finishes. Indoor air quality can be impacted by any number of factors associated with the soundness and weathertightness of your home.
As the leaky homes crisis has shown with such devastating effect, any breach in the outer shell of your house can let moisture penetrate and cause damage – which can go undetected for some time. The buildup of fungi and mould caused by rot and decay can render a house unlivable and pose serious health risks.
Leaky homes caused by poor design and workmanship are only one aspect however. With age, any home is at risk of unwanted moisture entering through a variety of places.
We’ll take a look at some of these in future articles.
Legal Obligations
There’s also a legal aspect to house maintenance: if your home was built or received building consent after 1992, you are responsible for making sure it continues to meet Building Code requirements.
Act Now
As the saying goes, it’s the ‘stitch in time’ that saves nine. The ‘nine’ could end up costing you and your family dearly.
If you have concerns about moisture problems in your Nelson home, don’t hesitate to get in touch or book an inspection. We realise that there are times when you need expert opinion. Our building reports have helped many people come to grips with the true condition of their home.
It’s always best to get peace of mind and intervene before the little things get out of hand and become major problems.
If you’re considering purchasing a home and have concerns about the many potential issues that are not obvious to the untrained eye, we can help. Get in touch now.
Stay tuned! We’ll be continuing this series, sharing the information and tools you need to stay on top of home maintenance.
See the next article in this series: Home Maintenance from the Top Down
