Category Home Renovations

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.