The Ultimate Checklist for Apartment Maintenance in Thrissur

If you’re planning to buy a flat, or have already purchased one, you should be aware that you need to do regular apartment maintenance to ensure that it is always in good shape. What do we mean by this? It’s not just the regular cleaning and dusting, but ensuring that all appliances and systems like plumbing, electrical, carpentry etc. are in tiptop shape and it is kept looking aesthetic. Regular maintenance helps you ensure safety and proactive maintenance works out cheaper in the long run. It also helps to enhance the value of your apartment should you want to sell it off at a later date. You can increase the life of your property with preventive maintenance checks and can also achieve energy efficiency, reducing costs further.

Here is a checklist for apartment maintenance:

Dusting and Cleaning

This is one of the most important apartment maintenance tasks. You must regularly dust everything in your apartment. Dust has an uncanny ability to settle down and gather in unreachable corners, under furniture, on the ceilings, on doors and windows etc. Dust can spoil your appliances like Air-conditioners, computers, music systems and washing machines. It can also cause several health issues like allergies, respiratory problems and infections. Of course, dust completely spoils the look of your home too. You must be very meticulous about cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms. Any food scraps or spills must be immediately cleaned, or you invite pests which again cause diseases. Bathrooms are also germ magnets and must be always spic and span.

Pest Control

Ensuring that pests stay away is an important maintenance activity for apartments in Thrissur. Often, pests like rodents and cockroaches only come out at night, so you may not be aware that they live in your flat. Sign up for a yearly maintenance contract with a reputed pest control agency and they will come and spray the repellents and other chemicals once a quarter and even in between, if there is a need.

Kitchen

The kitchen is an extremely important part of any home; it’s the place that works nearly throughout the day, every single day. It is essential to check for gas leaks, broken cabinets, loose shelves and more on a regular basis to ensure the safety of your family. Any risk of heavy stuff falling should be immediately addressed. Implement these small modular kitchen design ideas for greater convenience and safety.

Ensure Ventilation

Put mosquito mesh netting on your doors and windows so that you can leave them open without fear of insects getting in. Let in as much natural light and fresh air as possible, as this will eliminate unpleasant odours, prevent mould and fungus and get rid of mustiness. Install exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchen to eliminate excess moisture and bad smell.

Home Linen

Your bed sheets are washed regularly, but how often do you remember to wash your curtains, sofa covers, throws, mats and so on? Curtains especially catch a lot of dust and accumulate moisture and are prime breeding grounds for germs. Make sure to wash them at least once in three months. If your sofa covers are removable, wash them at home or send them to a dry cleaner; otherwise, you can use a foaming sofa cleaner to make them look fresh.

Wall Maintenance

Check for cracks and peeling paint; there could also be small holes, caused by insects or drilling work. Make sure these gaps are filled up immediately. If you see mould or fungus on the walls, get it cleaned right away. Make sure to give your walls a fresh coat of paint every 8-10 years. If you clean the walls regularly, you may not have to bother with repainting frequently. Check out modern texture paint designs for apartments if you want to jazz up your space.

Floor Maintenance

Check for loose and cracked tiles and get them fixed or replaced without delay. These tiles pose a significant safety threat to your family and can cause falls and injuries, not to mention that they spoil the look of your floor and may also cause water seepages to the floor and wall. If you have carpets or rugs placed around the house, be sure to clean them regularly. If you can’t wash them at home, send them to a dry cleaner.

Doors and Windows

If you have wooden doors and windows, they may puff up and become difficult to close during the monsoons. Mould, fungus, decay are also common complaints. Give them a coat of varnish or paint regularly to prevent these problems. Metal doors and windows are susceptible to rust and breakage, so apply primer and paint when you see the first signs of rust. Also make sure that they lock properly – it is a matter of safety, after all. Waterproof your doors and windows before the monsoon sets in to prevent water from seeping in and causing damage.

Electrical Maintenance

Proactive maintenance is one of the critical electrical safety tips for flats. Check for faulty wiring, exposed wires, short circuits and so on by engaging the services of a professional electrician. Also have them check for faulty switches, loose switchboards, outlets that are not functioning properly and so on. This can help you save on your electricity bill in addition to keeping your family safe. Also check your fan capacitors and replace lights that are blinking or have become dim and dull. It’s a good idea to install a sprinkler system so that if at all there is a fire, it will be immediately doused.

Plumbing Maintenance

Get a plumber to check for leaks and wet spots on the floor, walls,ceiling, and get them fixed immediately. This will prevent mould formation and damage to the structure. Also check sinks, toilets, flush tanks and so on, for leaks or other issues. However, you are not likely to face this problem in a Hi-Life flat as they are one of the best builders in Thrissur.

Appliance Maintenance

No modern home is complete without a host of appliances; they have made our lives more comfortable and simpler. However, it is essential that you maintain or service them regularly to ensure they remain in their best working condition and to get maximum life out of them.

Air-conditioner Maintenance

Nearly every home has at least one these days and many have multiple air conditioners. Dust is a huge problem in all our cities and it can get inside and choke the A/C filter, which means that it won’t operate at optimal capacity and work harder to cool your room. This leads to higher power consumption and can eventually spoil the appliance in the long run.

Washing Machine

Hardly anyone hand-washes clothes these days. A washing machine is a standard appliance in most homes and it must be serviced at least once a year. Often, detergent powder residue, cloth lint, dust and softener residue can cause blockage and other problems. 

Water Filter

Whether you use an RO or any other type of water filter, it is imperative that you have an AMC so that the filters or candles are replaced before they get blocked and stop filtering your drinking water.

Water Heater

Before the monsoon sets in, make sure that your water heater is in good working condition and that there are no leaks or other problems like overheating, not heating and so on.

Home Automation System

Many people are installing home automation systems, connecting their appliances and home security systems to their mobile devices to control them remotely. It’s a good idea to conduct a proactive audit to see that everything is working perfectly so that you don’t get inconvenienced when you’re leaving for a family vacation. Get to know about the advantages & disadvantages of smart home automation before you install a system at home. A home automation system can help you to become more energy efficient and save on electricity bills.

Conclusion

Poor plastering, wiring, and plumbing are often the most common hidden dangers before buying a house. Of course, with Hi-Life builders, you don’t have to worry about poor quality of construction, materials, tiles or fixtures. However, to keep your flat in great shape, to enhance comfort and safety for your family and to maintain the visual appeal of your flat, it is essential that you regularly undertake apartment maintenance activities. If you’re systematic and create a proper schedule, it can be easily done. 

For apartments in Thrissur that require minimal maintenance, check out the Ongoing projects from Hi-Life Builders.