Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa August 2018 | Page 30

IMPROVING
Maintenance
Matters
Key to protecting
your investment
W
hen it comes to protecting the value of your property
and the comfort of your home, regular home main-
tenance is key.
“From the moment that you take ownership of your new
home and signed off on the confirmation of satisfaction with
the developer, home maintenance and repairs become your
responsibility and are not the responsibility of the developer,
the bond/mortgage provider or the insurer anymore,” explains
Mbuso Mhlanga, Marketing Executive at Cosmopolitan Proj-
ects.
In the same way that you need to service your car regularly
to keep it in good running order, your house needs the same
care and attention. All property is subject to what is known as
‘wear and tear’. This is the gradual deterioration of items caused
by normal usage, aging, exposure to weather, insects, and so on.
Fixing small maintenance problems at the first sight of deteri-
A FEW HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS
Paint the walls – both inside and out. Fill any small
surface cracks and paint over it.
Clean out gutters and remove leaves and debris regu-
larly. It can save you money on replacing gutters and
even on repairing roof damage as a result of water
overflowing into the roof and ceilings during a heavy
downpour.
Check your roof. Ensure tiles are still securely in place
and that flashings are properly sealed. Paint and seal
your roof to avoid water leaks.
Attend to water leaks immediately to avoid bigger
problems with damp and other water damage. This
includes checking toilets and cisterns, basins and the
connections for signs of wear and tear or leakage.
Check your windows, doors and handles for any re-
quired adjustments and tighten screws and bolts that
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018 SA Real Estate Investor Magazine
oration will prevent a small prob-
lem from becoming a larger and much
costlier one to fix in future. Not only will
regular maintenance ensure the comfort and look
of your home, but it will mean that you get the maximum
value for your property should you decide to sell one day.
“There is also the insurance aspect to think about. It’s im-
portant to remember that insurance is there to protect you
against the impact of sudden, unforeseen and accidental events,
and not for gradual wear and tear. Claims resulting from a lack
of maintenance are likely to be rejected by the insurer,” adds
Mbuso.
It’s crucial to give your home the maintenance it needs and
to attend to any required repairs as soon as they arise, to prevent
a small problem from becoming a major one, and to protect the
value of your property investment.
may have come loose. Check that lock mechanisms
are in good working order and spray with lubricating
oil if necessary.
Check your drains for any blockages and build-up of
grime or fat. Never flush plaster, cement, paint or any
other building debris down a drain as it will harden
and block your pipes. Use a drain cover to keep debris
out of your drains.
Don’t hammer nails into the walls. This could lead
to cracks in the plaster. Use a drill and a proper wall
hanging fitting. Ensure that it is safe to drill and that
there are no pipes or electrical cables under the
surface.
Consider applying window and door foam tape to
ensure that windows and doors close snugly. This will
keep out any cold wind and also prevent any rattling
noise on windy days.