3 Ways to Ensure That Home Improvements Also Improve Your Health

Are you looking to update your home? Whether you are moving to a new home or wanting to improve your existing one, completing repairs, improvements, and maintenance in a timely manner can save you time and money in the long run. Some home repair and maintenance projects can even improve your health. Wondering how to maximize the health-boosting potential of your home improvement projects? These repair tips may be of interest to you.

​Use The Right Tools and Equipment for DIY Projects

If you are looking to save money, then DIY home maintenance could definitely help. With a basic set of tools, you can take care of many routine maintenance projects around your home. Some cosmetic and essential repairs you can easily DIY include touching up paint inside and out, repairing squeaky hinges and windows, and replacing any worn or missing caulking around windows and doors. To complete many of the other tasks on this list, you may need some specialty tools or equipment to keep things safe and secure. For example, if you plan to inspect your roof for leaks or cleaning out gutters before the monsoon season, then you may need to upgrade your ladder to a telescopic model. The adjustable height on these ladders make them easy to transport and fold, and they help keep you stable and safe at all heights. Falling from a ladder, even from lower heights, can result in serious or even life-threatening injuries. If you need any other specialty tools, you can also consider renting them from local hardware stores. Renting tools for repairs can end up saving your hundreds or thousands.

Have a Licensed Electrician Inspect Suspect Outlets

Do your lights flicker when you switch them on? Do you ever notice unexplained burning smells around your home? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, then you could have electrical problems that need to be addressed by a licensed professional. Flickering lights, burning or plastic smells, and loose electrical outlets can all be indications that your home needs to be re-wired. Prioritizing these repairs is essential for your health and safety since faulty wiring can result in serious shocks or even destructive fires. Keep in mind that the costs to have a licensed electrician rewire your home can be fairly high, with average projects costing between $1,611 and $7,801. Trying to cut costs by attempting to complete these repairs on your own, however, can result in even more serious issues, and could even cause issues with your homeowner’s insurance. If faulty DIY electrical work ends up causing a fire in your home, you could end up having to pay for any resulting repairs, and if there are any damages to surrounding properties, you will need to cover those as well. So, it’s always best to hire a pro.


Ensure HVAC Systems or Swamp Coolers are Working

Heat exhaustion can be a real danger during the summer months, especially in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. Some signs that you or a family member are experiencing heat exhaustion can include excess sweating, feeling dizzy, or experiencing fainting spells. Both heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be especially dangerous for seniors who are living in warmer climates. So before the temperatures really begin to heat up this summer, have your cooling systems checked out. If you have an HVAC system you can keep it running smoothly by changing out the filters and completing other routine maintenance. For swamp coolers, changing the pads can help keep your house cool and comfortable. Maintaining either system shouldn’t cost homeowners very much, with pads and filters available for well under $100. If you fail to maintain your system, however, you could end up spending thousands of dollars to replace your cooling system. Still, those costs are much better than risking your health in a too-warm home.

Whether it’s new or old, maintaining your home can be good for your budget and your well-being. So, focus on the projects and tips included in this post, to get a jumpstart on improving your home to improve your safety, your health, and your overall quality of life.

Contributed by:
Curtis Fisher
tradesbright.org   
[email protected]

Photo Credit: Pexels