How to save on household expenses

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES

Know how to save on household expenses It's simple, but only if you know how. Home maintenance requires regular maintenance, careful attention, and a keen eye to avoid skyrocketing costs and wasted money and materials. Here are a few tricks stolen from repair companies, so you can finally do it yourself and with discretion, or turn to professionals with confidence, knowing your maintenance goals. You can monitor their work from behind the scenes. But that's not all.

ALSO READ: Boiler maintenance: how to do it right to avoid dangerous leaks and unnecessary costs.

CENTRALIZED HOT AIR

It's much simpler than you might think, especially if you have the space to circulate a forced hot air system. By carefully planning where to position the vents, you save on your bill monthly heating. To reduce insulation problems, simply keep air vents away from areas of the house that tend to attract humidity (around the refrigerator, near low windows, and away from pipes entering the house).

WATER DRAINAGE

If dirt and humidity disappear from your home forever, you will save a lot of money by avoiding problems related to humidity or mold that require repairs. Older homes are particularly problematic when it comes to water drainage, and it may take the expertise of a professional to get rid of foundations with eroded, sloping, or steep foundations. Managing this problem well early on will save you from many costly repairs later on, involving foundations, columns, patios, and basements. poor drainage, in the worst-case scenarios, can cause entire retaining walls to sink, swell, or even collapse.

FIXTURE MAINTENANCE

fixtures quality can help save on electricity costsFor this reason, their maintenance is essential: it ensures their longevity and proper functioning. Check the condition of the seals from time to time, replacing any damaged ones to maintain thermal (and acoustic) insulation. Inspect the frames for possible signs of wear or structural damage and, if necessary, intervene promptly. Finally, make sure they close properly to prevent heat loss and water infiltration.

GUTTER REPAIR

The repair and possible replacement of gutters, downspouts and chimneys prevents – in the long run dangerous – water infiltration, structural damage, mould and soil erosion. But it also helps to keep the facade intact and the correct disposal of waste.rain waterChimneys, where present, should also always be in good working order as they ensure the safe expulsion of smoke, preventing damage and humidity problems.

TRANSPARENT FINISHES ON WALLS

Plaster and stucco create a professional finish on ceilings and walls. However, you need to plan ahead if you want to keep plaster walls in good condition without spending too much, perhaps by applying a few coats of waterproofing. Drywall is generally the best choice for walls, especially if you plan to undertake energy-efficient projects that include installing ceiling or recessed lighting.

TO KNOW MORE: Painting your walls easily and cheaply: the step-by-step process

CHOICE OF PROFESSIONALS

Another way, perhaps obvious but not trivial, to save on household expenses, consists in choosing the right professionals, artisans or suppliers Whatever they are. It's important to be able to count on serious and reliable people. This can be achieved over years, after carefully comparing various quotes, choosing professionals with good reviews and competitive rates. But, above all, by leveraging your own personal experience. If applicable, opt for periodic maintenance contracts that often offer discounts on services.

MULTIPLE WORKS AT THE SAME TIME

Make multiple renovations at the same timeAnd it can reduce overall costs. By consolidating interventions, fixed costs are reduced and efficiency is increased. The advice is always to turn to a specialized company, which can expertly manage timelines, optimizing costs and saving wherever possible.

INCENTIVES AND BONUSES

Di bonus ed incentives We're full of them. And they're periodically renewed. A good idea, if you're planning on carrying out maintenance work and want to save on household expenses, is to take advantage of them. Perhaps by scheduling the work you intend to do to coincide with the validity of these subsidies that the state makes available to citizens.

CLEANING UP THE SURROUNDINGS

Checking the roots of any tree on your property is a must if you're moving into a new home, especially in a rural area. Large trees that haven't been properly pruned and landscaped can have roots so deep and extensive that they can overturn pipes or even the foundation of your home. Roots can extend far beyond what a novice gardener can imagine, so never underestimate the power of Mother Nature.

Rotten or confined roots can also cause trees to fall and cause serious damage during adverse weather conditions. Learn to distinguish between a dead branch and a live one, because if the wind hits a dead branch, we could end up spending thousands of euros repairing a scratched window or door. Furthermore, trees growing close to the house can create a damp, shaded area that can allow the growth of dead branches. moss and mold. This can damage the exterior siding as well as infiltrate vents or walls. Mold and mildew are the main causes of health problems.

ROUTINE INSPECTIONS

Finally, we should be aware of what's happening in our homes by conducting inspections every week or so. Here are some signs that could indicate a more serious problem:

• Huge temperature differences between rooms
• Cracked plaster or paint
• Unexpectedly high electricity bills
• Echoes in the walls or ceiling

If these signs appear, a professional inspection is necessary, and it should be done at least once a year. This is the number one secret of repair companies: find problems before they get worse, which is essential to keep home maintenance costs low and repairsWhile you can't use all of these tricks for DIY projects, it's always good to have a working knowledge of what's happening to your home when the repairmen give you an estimate.

HOUSEHOLD CLEANING AND HOUSEHOLD JOBS WITH NATURAL PRODUCTS:

• Baking soda, a must-have at home. Excellent for household cleaning and personal hygiene.
• DIY sponges and cloths for household cleaning: make them at home with creative recycling
• DIY citric acid detergents: many effective preparations, perfect for household cleaning.