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11 common home repair and maintenance mistakes to avoid

11 common home repair and maintenance mistakes to avoid

Home maintenance is an ongoing task. Falling behind on HVAC systems’ maintenance, appliance maintenance, and even plumbing can require a complete replacement. One of the best ways to maintain a home and its structural integrity is cleaning things and repairing them at the first signs of wear, but aside from neglecting the same, people can make several mistakes when caring for their home. So, here are eleven common home repair and maintenance mistakes to avoid.

Not winterizing
Many homeowners forget about winterizing, a crucial step in maintaining their property. Winterizing is taking preventative measures to protect the property against damage that freezing temperatures can cause. Tasks like insulating pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting, clearing gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage, sealing windows and doors to prevent drafts, and servicing heating systems to ensure they function efficiently during the colder months are all part of the winterizing process. Winterizing a home or property helps prevent costly damage and ensures the comfort and safety of occupants during months when the area sees freezing temperatures.

Not addressing water damage
One of the biggest lapses in maintenance is not addressing water damage immediately. When spaces like bathrooms aren’t kept dry, water damage and mold can affect them and further penetrate the structure, resulting in costly repairs or even complete replacements. One of the main indications of water seeping into the structure is stains and watermarks on the ceiling or walls. This is usually a sign of either a pipe leak in the house, problems with the roof, or old caulking that’s allowing water to seep into places from high-moisture areas. Getting a professional plumber to find the root cause should be the immediate plan of action.

Not changing AC/furnace filters
Clean air filters in good condition can help one save money on electricity bills. This is because the system to heat or cool the house won’t have to work as hard, resulting in lower energy bills. The filters should be cleaned every couple of months and replaced at least twice a year to keep the HVAC system running efficiently.

Overusing power washing
Maintenance doesn’t only include repairs or replacing. Cleaning regularly is also a huge part of maintenance, and while power washing can get grime and mud cleaned out in no time, using it carelessly could damage the masonry. High water pressure can damage bricks and aluminum siding and even cause the stucco to crumble. It’s important not to get too close to the surface one is trying to clean and to keep the nozzle at least 6 inches away.

Not cleaning the gutters regularly
Clogged gutters tend to leak water into the home’s foundation, and this could slowly weaken it over time. Going into the next season with clogged gutters is a complete no-no. Not cleaning gutters regularly allows twigs, leaves and debris to collect and block water from flowing freely and is a home maintenance mistake that must be avoided.

Neglecting windows
Windows should be maintained and cleaned regularly to ensure that they function properly. If one struggles to open the windows, notices rot on the corners, or can feel a cold draft when passing it, it may be time to repair. All the clean filters in the HVAC system cannot reduce the energy bill if the windows can’t prevent cold air from entering the house.

Improper yard work
Letting trees grow unpruned and unchecked can be a safety hazard. Storms and inclement weather can cause branches to snap off and damage the house. Maintaining tree and shrub height and checking for poisonous or parasitic wild plants is absolutely necessary for proper home maintenance.

Using the wrong tools
While DIYs to repair and carry out routine maintenance work around the house sounds like a money-saving decision, it could end up costing much more. Using the wrong tools can end up damaging what needs to be fixed. Not taking care and using safety measures when carrying out repairs with power tool is also a common home repair and maintenance mistake one should avoid.

Not deep cleaning
Keeping a regular schedule to clean out appliances, fans, bathrooms, the loft, the basement, and high-traffic areas in the house is necessary to ensure that issues don’t fall through the cracks (pun intended). Having a seasonal maintenance checklist can help immensely in ensuring that every part of the house gets a regular onceover.

Not using appropriate cleaning products
There’s no one-size-fits-all in cleaning products, so one should not use the same products for all cleaning needs. The stuff that gets the grime off the fan may not be the best one to clean the oven with! Using incorrect cleaning agents and scrubbers or making use of excessive cleaning products can damage the appliances or the paint and luster of the objects being cleaned. So, selecting the correct cleaning agents for different surfaces is imperative.

Overusing duct tape
For a quick fix, duct tape works wonders, but that cannot be one’s go-to solution all the time. It’s not a permanent solution and, as such, should not be treated as one. Temporary repairing items with duct tape is acceptable so long as the next step is a call to a professional to inspect the issue. Leaving duct tape on for too long can result in a sticky residue marking the surface, the issue worsening, and the need for a complete replacement of the product or area.

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Have you ever woken up feeling tired and lethargic despite sleeping for seven to eight hours at night? It could be due to poor sleep quality. Disturbed sleep influences the rest of your day: how you think, your performance at work, and other tasks. The causes of poor sleep are many, including a faulty mattress, distractions in your room, or a heavy dinner. Avoiding the following mistakes before bed can help you sleep better: Staring at a screen Using gadgets close to bedtime is probably the most common mistake in the digital age. The blue light emitted from screens affects the production of a specific hormone responsible for inducing sleep and regulating the circadian rhythm. Apart from the blue light emission, the television or mobile phone sound can be a distraction that keeps you awake. High noise levels create lots of mental stimulation and disturbance, preventing the brain from shutting down. Hence, it is advisable to avoid using phones, televisions, and laptops for at least an hour before bed. Exercising Exercise is among the best solutions for good health, but you must do it at the right time. Physical activity late in the evening or at night hampers sleep patterns by increasing stress and raising body temperature.
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Food gets broken down into glucose by the body to release energy for its functioning. Most meal plans combine fats, proteins, sugars, and other essential carbohydrates vital for healthy growth and organ function. However, people with diabetes should be careful about seemingly healthy foods as it can trigger a spike in their blood glucose levels. Here are different foods that are bad for diabetes and should not be eaten regularly: Various foods that are bad for diabetes patients Fruit juices and other drinks Sugar consumption via beverages can spike insulin levels drastically. Did you know that lots of seemingly healthy store-bought fruit smoothies, sports drinks, bottled juices, and sodas can spike blood sugar levels too? Also, natural fruit juices are not necessarily a healthy option as they are high in fructose. Aside from this, cola, iced tea, lemonade, and other flavored beverages are excessively high in carbs, sugar, and fructose. Their regular consumption can trigger insulin resistance, forcing healthy cells to reject insulin and extract glucose for energy. Another crucial thing to remember is to avoid any type of spirit if you have diabetes. These contain empty calories and can worsen the condition significantly. Cereals, yogurt, and dried fruits Daily breakfast cereals are fortified with essential vitamins and nutrients that make up for a wholesome meal.
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Strengthening the lungs can help one avoid respiratory issues and diseases. Even when diagnosed with a lung-related illness, making significant changes to the lifestyle and food regimen can help people manage the symptoms and restore lung function. However, it is equally important to avoid the food items that damage these organs and cause issues like inflammation, sneezing, and wheezing. Here are a few foods to avoid to improve lung health: Salty food Foods with excessive salt should be avoided as their long-term consumption can have severe consequences on the overall health. Excess sodium in such food items can enlarge the muscles of the heart, cause headaches, increase blood pressure, and lead to a wide range of kidney-related issues like stones. Such foods can also have a negative effect on the health of the lungs and have been linked to an increased risk of bronchitis. Additionally, too much salt in meals can also worsen the symptoms of respiratory issues like asthma. This is because sodium can cause fluid retention, leading to shortness of breath in those with lung diseases. To reduce its intake, one should start by limiting salt in their meals and instead add more herbs and spices as seasoning.
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Migraine headaches are a devitalizing experience. It completely saps the person of energy and prevents them from being productive during these episodes. There is usually a build-up to a migraine attack which is different for every individual. The phase before the actual migraine attack is known as the aura, and people may report seeing flashes of light or experiencing a tingling sensation. Below are some options for treating migraine headaches: Treatment options Nurtec Nurtec is a treatment option that helps relieve some symptoms of migraines. It reduces the severity of headaches and sensitivity to light. Nurtec is usually taken on alternate days to prevent migraines and other pain associated with the condition. Ubrelvy Ubrelvy, a fast pain-relief, is a treatment option that blocks calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the body. CGRP is associated with migraine attacks, and suppressing it goes a long way in treating the condition. Excedrin This pain reliever does not just treat migraine headaches but also pain in other parts of the body. Excedrin provides fast pain relief to the patient. Qulipta Qulipta is a treatment option that helps prevent migraines over a more extended period. However, medical professionals do not recommend this treatment option to people suffering from kidney or liver problems.
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A pet’s fur can be the perfect breeding ground for fleas and ticks. These pests can annoy your pet throughout the day. Such parasites can also cause several health problems like Lyme disease and skin infections in dogs and humans. Fortunately, pet care experts have developed several ways to rid these critters of your furry friend. Here are four handy tips that help with managing flea and tick infestations in dogs: Initiate a treatment plan If your pet develops a pest infestation, the first and foremost thing to do is get them on a treatment plan. Here are a few prescriptions that can be helpful: Bravecto® (Fluralaner) This prescription for dogs comes in two types: a chewable option or a topical solution. Bravecto is approved by the FDA and works on dogs and puppies at least six months of age who weigh at least 4.4 pounds. If you pick the chewable option for your pet, it must be given with their food once a month. Alternately, the topical solution must be applied once every 12 weeks. You can also check out special offers on Bravecto’s website for attractive discounts on their products. Simparica Another recommended treatment for fleas and ticks is the FDA-approved chewable from Simparica.

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