As a homeowner, you are likely to face several expensive projects, and it is natural to want to handle some of them yourself in order to keep costs low. Performing an outdoor home repair is an appealing way to save money for a handy homeowner. Repairing roofs, washing gutters, and even removing trees are all tasks that can entice the do-it-yourself enthusiast. The decision to assess the risks of your project will depend on the size of the project.
It feels good to have your property papers signed and have your registry up and running. After what seems like an eternity, the never-ending process of buying a house has come to an end. However, you will realize that home-ownership demands time and effort once you move into the new property. The number of tasks involved with home maintenance can seem overwhelming to begin with. Maintaining your home can save you from potential hassles and save you money in the long run.
The Complete Safety Checklists for Home Maintenance
Ladder Safety
The foremost resource to be in need of is a ladder while planning to work on your property's exterior. The most common way people injure themselves is by being knocked down from a ladder.
Consider the following factors very carefully:
- Make sure you pay attention to all warning labels on the ladder and that it is in good working condition before climbing.
- Ensure that the rungs are dry and free of slippery materials to avoid slipping.
- The ladder should be placed on a stable and firm surface.
- Ensure you are supervised by a friend or family member who can hold the ladder steady.
Repairing a roof yourself: Is it worth it?
Some tasks are best left to the pros, but how can you decide if you want to take on the task? In terms of roof work on your house, you're probably better off letting a professional handle it. It is the responsibility of a roofer to keep themselves and others safe while performing their duties. A roofer is also knowledgeable about repairing complex roofs, installing various types of shingles, and determining what damage lies underneath the surface of a roof, something that a homeowner may not always be able to fix by themselves.
The safety checklist for ladder use should be your number one priority when cleaning gutters. However, there are still a number of things to consider as well:
- While working, you will need to firmly secure a basket to the ladder to gather the waste from the gutter. The carabiner or the hook can be used for this purpose.
- Those with blocked gutters will be slippery with decaying leaf matter within. Make sure you don't get a lot of leaves on your ladder.
- Moving the ladder once you have finished cleaning a section of gutter that you are able to reach without bending puts you at risk for a slip.
A Safe Way to Cut a Tree Down
A qualified roofer should handle roofing projects, whereas a tree and stump removal expert can handle these projects on a case-by-case basis. Here are a few things to consider:
1. The tree is a tall one; how tall is it? Unless you have a ladder, we recommend calling a professional to take it down for you.
2. Do you live near the tree, or does a neighbor live nearby? Taking on this task yourself would be too risky if it hits property.
3. Will you need a safety checklist for any special equipment? It will be necessary to use a chainsaw on a wide tree, increasing the potential for injury.
4. What is the size of the stump if you're assessing one? Rather than risk your safety or damage your vehicle by digging it out and moving it yourself, call for professional help.
What Is the Right Time to Call a Professional?
If you are thinking about making repairs to your home, consider the size and shape of your house and how hazardous it would be to climb up against it. When repairing a single-story home, the risk will be far less than when repairing a multi-story home, and ladders always increase the risk. You should also consider the complexity of the job. While a gutter cleaning job might be straightforward enough, a gutter replacement will require more labor, moving supplies, and the use of tools while exposed to the air.
Keeping the place clean
Whenever you collect broken glass, be thorough and careful with the safety checklists. When collecting shattered glass from your backyard, wear thick-soled shoes and heavy-duty gloves to protect your feet from sharp edges. You should collect the pieces you can find in a hard container such as a bucket or paint can. Using a wet-dry vacuum can even pick up smaller pieces of debris if the ground is hard and dry.
To collect fallen nails, purchase a rolling magnet. Nails are often used in roofing and gutter repairs and replacements, which leads to nail contamination in your landscaping. If done by a reputable company, the work will be cleaned up after it's done, but if you've installed it yourself, you should take steps to make sure no nails remain afterward. If you need to pick up nails off the ground quickly and easily, magnets can be rented or purchased. Maintaining your home is relatively simple - you clean your house once a week, tighten a screw here and there as needed, change the lightbulb occasionally, and check the smoke alarm battery once every six months. Thankfully, none of these issues are life-threatening, but it is important to know when to stop, swallow your pride, and call a qualified tradie in.
Professionals aren’t always cheap, but they’re paid well for very good reasons: not only are they trained to ensure that whatever they’re fixing is completely repaired to the standards required by law, but they’re also trained on the sorts of hazards involved with the work they do.
Indoor Home Maintenance Safety Checklist
It is crucial to ensure the safety of your home inside as well whenever you are performing interior home maintenance. You can make some simple home maintenance changes to save money, improve health, and have a more comfortable place to live. Changing the covers on your older windows could significantly reduce heat loss in your home. If your current windows are drafty, single-paned, and in need of insulation, plastic can save you money.
You're going to dry out your home's air more if you heat your house this winter. Sore throats, bleeding noses, and even upper respiratory illnesses are some of the consequences of this. Throughout the winter, a humidifier can protect the health and comfort of your family. The fall tends to be a good time to replace air filters to improve air purity and freshness. In addition to preventing allergies and bacteria, air purifiers can protect families all year long from catching viruses and bacteria. Proper ventilation can also improve air quality by removing harmful air pollutants such as formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Conclusion
Before undertaking exterior home maintenance on your own, consider these factors: Do you feel comfortable and confident handling the task at hand? Are you in possession of all the equipment you need to accomplish the task safely? In the scope of your work, have you considered the need for yard cleanup?
As long as you have the answers to all these questions, then you will be on the right track to completing your job safely. However, if you aren't sure, call in the experts. Preventing problems is always better and more affordable than trying to fix them. What is the size of your backyard? Would you consider yourself an outdoor person? Are you afraid of being robbed? Those are all problems that can be solved with the safety checklists for your home maintenance. Your smartphone or tablet will allow you to monitor all activities from the camera outside your home.
