Why Your Home’s Foundation and Support Systems Need to Be Well Maintained

Purchasing a home is one of the biggest investments you will make during your lifetime. Performing regular maintenance allows you to protect your asset. Here’s a look at why it is important to perform regular maintenance on your home’s foundation and other support systems.

Driveway

If your driveway is made of asphalt, it’s important that you perform yearly maintenance. Asphalt pavement material is a combination of approximately 95% stone, sand, or gravel bound together by asphalt cement.

Asphalt surfaces are particularly susceptible to wear and tear from inclement weather and erosion. It’s advised that you reseal your driveway every year in order to increase the durability.

Research shows that the asphalt used on roads is more durable than the type of asphalt used in driveways. That’s why performing regular driveway maintenance is so important.

If the pavement becomes severely damaged, excavation may be necessary. Excavation is defined as any underground work, including trenches, wells, shafts, or tunnels.

Performing regular maintenance on your driveway helps repel moisture, which prevents the surface from deteriorating.

Concrete cracks when water is able to penetrate it. The surface erodes even faster if a lot of vehicles move through the area. The surface becomes even more damaged during the winter when exposure to freezing temperatures causes the concrete to expand and contract.

Sunlight can also cause problems, as maximum exposure causes corrosion. Applying sealer can help strengthen the concrete to fight off the potential impact of sunlight and water.

Proper driveway maintenance also repels oil leaks and makes it more convenient for you to clean your driveway.

Electrical Safety

While people rely on electricity, a power overload can easily start a fire. Almost half of home structure electrical fires involve some type of electrical distribution equipment (such as wiring, outlets, switches, lamps, light bulbs, cords, or plugs).

Pay attention to the outlet prongs that are starting to erode due to natural wear and tear. These prongs are in need of careful maintenance in order to prevent a potential fire.

Furthermore, it is also recommended to add heat shrink cable sleeves around wire arrays and electrical components to cover parts of individual wires or bundle entire arrays and protect against moisture, dust, abrasion, and sharp objects that might otherwise damage wires and electrical components.

This type of damage ultimately results in shorts and failures. It will also bind loose wires, connectors, joints, terminals, and splices together, creating more organized and manageable bundles.

Using color-coded heat shrink tubing helps to facilitate easy wire and component identification. Given the range of possible uses, heat shrink tubing is available in a variety of materials, sizes, and colors.

Some also come with an adhesive liner to help the tubing stay in place once applied.

Heating Safety Tips

Research shows that overheating is the second leading cause of house fires and a common cause of home fire deaths. Defective heating equipment causes thousands of fires every year. Make sure that your furnace has a yearly tune-up.

It’s also important to test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Adhering to these tips can help save your life and prevent your home from suffering severe damage.

Cooking Safety

Research shows that cooking accidents make up almost 50% of home fires. If you are planning to use the stove, make sure that you are alert at all times. Stay in the kitchen while you are trying the food.

Remember that anything can catch fire at any moment, so it’s important to stay alert at all times. If a fire starts, make sure that you have a clear escape route. Getting out of your home safely should be your top priority.

Candle Safety

According to the U.S. Fire Department, accidental candle fires continue to happen at alarming increases every year. Over 10 fires happen on average every day. While candles are fun and relaxing, it’s important to be careful.

Blow out all candles once you are planning to leave the room. Purchasing candleholders is also recommended. Consider purchasing batteries and flashlights in the event of an emergency. Candles are generally seen as harmless, but they can be hazardous if you are reckless.

Candle fires are an example of how emergencies can happen at your home when you least expect them.