Archives November 2020

Go ahead and let out a sigh of relief – you’ve endured winter’s worst, and summer is finally here, once and for all. It’s time to pack away those winter clothes, and get ready to enjoy cookouts, laying out on your deck, and some much-needed vitamin D.

There’s nothing quite like relaxing at home on those perfect summer days and nights. Yet as great as summertime can be, it can also shed light on all of those projects around the house you’ve been putting off for months.

So, how can you get your home ready for the summer – and fast? Explore our top 10 home maintenance tips for summer below to make this year’s summer preparations an absolute breeze.

1. Check your A/C

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that having access to a functional air conditioner during the summer months is an absolute must. You’ll need to make sure that yours is working to the best of its ability before those ultra-high temperatures kick in. Whether that means cleaning out the filter or performing a thorough A/C functionality test, preparing in advance will help you prevent a cooling catastrophe.

2. Clear out the clutter

By now, that so-called spring cleaning session you attempted feels like 10 years ago. Summer is the perfect time to do a deep clean (especially in terms of dusting), declutter your living space, or to go through your closet and dump out all those clothes you never wear.

3. Prep your deck or patio

Whether your idea of relaxing on the deck or patio is to lay out on a lawn chair with a good book or enjoy a beer with friends, there’s something so special about spending time outside. Before summer kicks in, make sure that your deck or patio is in clean, tip-top shape – whether that means washing it, checking for cracks, or simply giving it a good hose-down.

4. Check your insulation

You can find insulation issues pretty much anywhere throughout your house, from your front door, to your attic, to cracks in your garage door (especially if yours is attached). With higher cooling costs in the summer, now’s a great time to take a look around, and to seal up any insulation gaps you may encounter.

5. Get your grill ready

Take a second to think about it – when was the last time you thoroughly cleaned your grill? If it’s been quite some time or you simply can’t remember at all, we’d highly recommend giving your grill a good scrub-down before hosting your next backyard barbeque.

6. Schedule a fridge or freezer checkup

During the warmer months, your already hard-working fridge and freezer have to work even harder than usual. Therefore, as temperatures rise, it can become much more prone to a breakdown or malfunction.

7. Prep your bathroom

As the new season approaches, it’s a great time to give your bathroom(s) a fresh start. This could be in the form of heavy-duty cleaning, unclogging all your bathroom drains, replacing any leaky faucets or showerheads, sprucing up your bathroom design or feng shui, or otherwise.

8. Automate your A/C with smart devices

This summer will surely be a hot one – and, thanks to smart home technology, keeping your home running at an ideal temperature is now easier than ever before. With smart devices like the Nest thermostat, you can automate your home’s temperature on a timer, or even adjust it from your smartphone, so it’s always just right when you get home. Not only is this an immense convenience – it can also save you some major money and help reduce your carbon footprint.

9. Clean out your screens, shutters and window sills

There are some things at home that we’d rather not know about. The amount of dirt, grime and dust hiding within our window areas is pretty high up on that list. Tackle these head on with a deep cleaning before the summer starts so you can enjoy that cool evening breeze, while keeping your seasonal allergies at bay.

10. Check your detectors

While you should be checking these routinely, taking a look at your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector every few months is crucial to your entire family’s safety. You’ll need to make sure that they’re functioning properly, that they have sufficient batteries, and that they’re fully capable of detecting an issue efficiently and immediately.

If you want any maintenance or summer renovations contact the AllSafe team today.

If you’re a building owner, it is important to know that you have the responsibility of preserving its durability and look. To keep your building from problems, here are five tips that you can consider for your building maintenance.

1. Inspect and Clear Rain Water Goods

Inspect your rainwater goods, especially immediately after or during heavy rain because this will easily let you know if there is any area with problems. Cold weather can severely damage your rainwater goods, so it’s always advisable during winter for you to check for any signs of damage. If downpipes and gutters block, water could easily get trapped and expand as it’s freezing.

This expansion causes downpipes to shatter or crack and allows water to saturate your wall. You should look for cracks and splits and replace any broken sections. You can also hire someone to check your roof for any missing shingles, excessive mold, or water damages; this is an easy way of preventing major repairs in the future.

2. Check Plumbing of Your Building

One of the common problems in an older building is usually plumbing. Even high-quality plumbing work and high-end appliances could cause leaks or sometimes even floods after a certain time. For you to reduce the possibility of plumbing issues and maintain your building value, you should check pipes, showers, toilets, and faucets for any leaks. You should get a professional plumber to look over your building’s plumbing and identify any problems that you need to rectify to prevent your building from any major damages.

3. Ventilation

You should check the outdoor vents regularly making sure nothing has been built up which could create a blockage. You should know that blocked vents could be a fire hazard; when vents block it can cause a buildup of toxic carbon monoxide in your building. You should also change air filters regularly. Dusty or old vents could result in lower air quality as well as an increase in the energy cost of your building.

4. Fire Hazards

You should always keep in mind that fire safety is an essential part of the maintenance of your building and should always be kept up. Ensure that all fire alarms are working, and fire extinguishers are accessible. Make sure that your fire extinguisher has not expired. You should also check for frayed cords and wiring; wires shouldn’t remain exposed. Check for any outlets that are heating up as this can be a fire hazard sign.

5. Check and Fix Ceilings and Walls

You should inspect ceilings and walls for any cracks in the interior finishes; you should note any movement. Carefully monitor bulges in ceiling surfaces and walls. Trace the source of any visible moisture (puddles or water stains) and make sure you fix it. If you are not able to determine the source, you should call a professional because it can be a sign of a more serious problem.

To conclude, following these steps can help you avoid expensive repairs, damages, and dangers that can arise because of building negligence. Remember the saying “prevention is better than cure.” If you would like more information regarding building maintenance, contact our Team on
0408 075 646 to discuss further.

If there is anything 2020 has taught about our homes it is that this space needs to balance comfort, style and practicality… and that we should have a back-up stockpile of toilet paper.

The way we use our homes was turned on its head as lines were blurred between living and working spaces.

We suddenly were aware of the best lighting in the home for Zoom calls, that snacks won’t suddenly appear in the fridge even if you check 20 times a day and that our stylish dining room table chairs weren’t all that comfortable eight hours in.

So when Houzz, a global hub for interior designers, renovators, architects and homeowners, were putting together their annual list of home design predictions based on their most popular photos, search terms and professional insights, it is fair to say the list looked a little different following the rollercoaster that was 2020.

1. The rise in antibacterial materials.

Taking it one step further than having hand sanitizer scattered across every space in the home, Houzz say there will be a rise in automatic washbasins, touch-less flushing, and infrared sensors in bathrooms to meet the desire to reduce unnecessary touching.

The focus on hygiene will also extend to surface coatings that are bacteriostatic — materials capable of inhibiting the growth or reproduction of bacteria — and antimicrobial metals, which include copper, brass and bronze.

2. Artistic tiles.

Fans of The Block will know a striking tile can make or break a room, and that it can be a tedious task finding the perfect design and for it to be delivered on time. According to Houzz, in 2021 we’ll see more international artists working with manufacturers to put their unique spin on tiles. Also, keep your eye out for zellige tiles, which are handmade in Morocco, as experts say we’ll see a rise in them in everywhere from the kitchen to the bathroom.

3. Bricks.

Plenty of people attempted a bit of DIY in isolation to jazz up their home, which included a fresh lick of paint in living spaces. Houzz predict homeowners will be taking these revamps one step further in 2021 by introducing brick features into the space to add texture and warmth.

4. Clever small home design.

With some of the most-searched terms on Houzz being small apartment and U-shaped kitchen, it makes sense that homeowners are getting space-savvy by utilising the limited area available to them. This has resulted in a demand in study nooks and clever joinery to maximise smaller spaces.

5. Biodesign.

If you’re wondering what this futuristic term means, you’re not the only one. According to Fast Company “put simply, biodesign is the intersection between biology and design: It’s a growing movement (literally) of scientists, artists, and designers that integrates organic processes and materials into the creation of our buildings, our products, and even our clothing.”.

Their example is growing a chair out of mycelium, the mushroom fungus that makes for a surprisingly durable material for furniture. And while the regular Australian home may not have a mushroom-made chair in it anytime soon, Houzz said science is beginning to innovate design in Australia — stay tuned.