There’s a big key to running your home as the man of the house. It’s called being proactive and not ignoring issues when they occur. The focus on DIY has faded as life has went on and there are more ways to outsource the maintenance of our homes than ever before.
But still, we should try and take issues into our own hands – not only does solving home maintenance issues feel good, it’s going to keep our property working! There is nothing more manly than that.
Here are some ways you can look after your home, things that every man should know. Knowledge is half the battle, after all.
Firstly, think of the brickwork of the home. Some homes are old and the older the bricks, the more likely that they are suffering damage from rain and frost. If a brick is damaged, it can be an opening for damp to seep into your property. Firstly, identify a replacement brick and make sure the color of brick and mortar matches the offending brick. Remove the old brick by breaking it up by drilling multiple holes into until it falls apart. Be careful with removing the old mortar as hammering away too hard can cause some issues. Once a clear hole exists, lay the mortar and insert the new brick, filling the gaps in the wall with mortar. If there are more than one problem bricks, deal with the issues one at a time for safety purposes.
Moisture is a huge threat to your home and everything from clogged drains to leaks can ruin a house. It’s a good idea to keep a clean guttering system so the water that lands on your roof can drain away. If the water cannot drain away, it will weigh heavy on your roof, causing indentation and leakage. Clean your gutters every so often to stop water building up. Tools like plumbing snakes and hoses can help you deal with drain pipe clogs as well. If you do have an issue with your roof and water, check the attic for roof leaks if you believe that your roof is holding onto water. Pipes also need to be taken care of and you should do your best to prevent frozen pipes in the winter (or all year round, in fact). Frozen pipes will limit your access to water.
Everyone should know how to paint a room and it is simple! Get the shade you want, get a good brush & roller, put your furniture away from the walls to avoid them being covered in splats of paint and line the wall with masking tape. Use the roller to cover the majority of the room and use the brush to cover the finicky parts of the room. Don’t wait before applying a second coat, though. Do it all in one go and wash your brushes after use.
This is enough information to get you started and these are the most important steps, especially when regarding moisture and brickwork. Take the care of your home into your hands, starting right now.
