House maintenance tips to know
Whether you are a new homeowner or have been an owner for 50 years, your abode is a big investment. There are key areas that always demand immediate attention. However, with the hustle and bustle of life, it’s sometimes hard to pay attention to our homes or even know where to begin.
Matthew Houar has been a general contractor in Hawaii for more than 30 years and is the owner of Tropical Wholesale. Here, he identifies four key areas every homeowner should be aware of:
ROOFING
No one sees the roof, but it becomes an emergency when it leaks. The No. 1 thing a home is supposed to do is keep you, your family and your possessions, dry. The roof is key because if it’s damaged, water will cause all kinds of issues. Have a professional check your roof periodically and be realistic. If your roof is more than 20 years old, get ready to change it. Be proactive, not reactive. This will save you a lot of stress and money in the long run.
EXTERIOR WALLS
No one really looks at their home closely all the time. Most homeowners paint when the house looks terrible and the walls are a little rotted. Be realistic; if you hate to paint, consider vinyl siding or other lifetime protective exteriors. Otherwise, paint the exterior of your home yourself or hire someone to paint it every three to five years. Save yourself a bundle on repairs and maintain your home before it’s too late.
WINDOWS
Everyone knows windows keep the weather out because we have all left them open by mistake and had a lot of rain enter and damage window frames, furniture and more. It’s vital to perform regular checks of your windows. Repair them so they are weather-tight like windows are designed to be. And when you can’t repair them anymore, replace your windows with a cost-effective and weather-tight model.
BATHROOMS
This is where we all get ready for the world to see us. Bathrooms should be a clean, safe and pleasant place in the home. Have you ever had a broken toilet, shower or sink? Talk about frustration. It doesn’t cost all that much to make a bathroom safe and clean, and if you’re an older homeowner, be pro-active and do the semi-handicap thing. Install handi-bars, or a shower instead of a tub, and maybe a seat. Protect yourself and your family and treat yourself to a better life.
Tropical Wholesale has served more than 10,000 Hawaii customers over the last 30-plus years and specializes in residential renovations such as windows, vinyl siding, roofing and bathroom renovations. The business is located at 1351 S. Beretania, where there is a showroom filled with the best windows, siding, baths and roofing products money can buy. Houar and his son, Mike, welcome you to visit the showroom anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays or between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays.
