8 tips to preserve the value of your home

*Avoid water damage - detect water leaks in time and respond immediately

*Keep drains and floor drains clean

*Check the connections to household appliances regularly

*React quickly to changes in odor

*Replace the seals on the windows regularly

*Keep your insurance cover up to date

*Make a maintenance plan

*Keep your home's documentation up to date and request reports and documentation on maintenance measures

Detect water leaks in time - monitor water consumption

A water leak can be detected by monitoring the movement of the water meter when no taps or appliances are using water. If the water meter continues to move, it is leaking somewhere. It is good to have a table for monitoring energy and water consumption. Through the table overview, energy and water consumption can easily be followed annually or even monthly.

Clean drains and floor drains regularly

Food residue builds up in kitchen drains over time, just like hair and dirt in the shower. Regular cleaning helps prevent water damage. Clean the drains, especially if they don't drain properly or if the floor drain starts to smell bad. The recommendation is to clean them 2-3 times a year. If the floor drain repeatedly drains poorly, you should contact a plumber to investigate the situation.

Check the connections to washing machines

The cause of water damage is often a failure in the connection to dishwashers or washing machines. Keep an eye on the condition of the connections and close the tap when the machines are not in use. Remember that the installation of washing machine hoses and connections should always be carried out by professionals.

Use your senses - identify musty and damp smells

Regularly monitor both the inside and outside of the house. Take note of the house's foundation and water drainage system, roof and chimney outdoors. Indoors, pay attention to smells, ventilation, pipes and damp areas. Ventilation in homes takes place through exhaust and supply air vents. Keep the vents clean so that the ventilation works properly.

Replace the seals on the windows regularly

The seals on the windows need to be replaced several times during the lifetime of the windows, how often depends on the quality and durability of the seals. It's a good idea to check the seals once a year. When you seal windows and doors properly, the room temperature can be lowered to 20-21 degrees without affecting living comfort and at the same time save energy on heating bills.

Check your property's insurance coverage

In the event of damage, it's important to repair the damage quickly to prevent the extent of the damage from increasing. With insurance in place, you can carry out repairs and renovations more quickly without financial worries.

Create a maintenance plan for the future

Consider the lifespan of electrical appliances as well as the condition of electrical wiring and pipes. The value of your home is better maintained when necessary updates and renovations are done in good time. For example, the condition of pipes and drains should be examined at the latest at 35 years of age, while water supply pipes should be examined earlier, at about 20 years of age. The lifespan of electrical wiring also reaches the end of 50 years, and then it's often time to change the electrical cabinet and check whether the ampere count is sufficient for current use.

Keep your home documentation up to date

Each detached house should also have a user and maintenance guide, also called a home folder. In the folder, all completed renovation and alteration works should be listed in a sufficiently comprehensive manner. The list of measures can, for example, include annual repairs, basic renovations, room changes or repairs of unexpected damage. Added value in a sales situation can be achieved if the user and maintenance guide contains information about building components, surface materials, systems and appliances, so that the user can gain a holistic understanding of the property's maintenance needs. Maintenance and care of technical appliances and systems, as well as surface materials, are specified in separate instructions.

Ensure documentation of maintenance measures

In order to preserve the value, it is important that necessary maintenance and renovation work is carried out correctly and by an operator with the right license. Make sure you get all the necessary documentation and keep them in a safe place, as you may need them in case of claims for the insurance company or in the future for the sale or valuation of the house. The contractor's task is to provide the necessary use and maintenance instructions, including information on building components, used materials, substances, accessories and appliances, as well as necessary protocols, but it is the owner's responsibility to check whether the documents are sufficient.

Simple maintenance measures that should be carried out once a year:

• If you have an open fireplace in your house - order sweeping once a year
• Clean the grease filter of the kitchen fan
• Vacuum behind household appliances
• Clean the valves for ventilation
• Check the resistance of the sauna heater and the condition of the sauna stones
• Lubricate the hinges on doors and windows. Clean the gutters