Maintenance

 

Stripping Old Paint and Varnish off Wood.

Paint stripping becomes necessary when there are many layers of paint or varnish on the surface of wooden mouldings, furniture, floors or wood-based walls. Stripping an old finish from furniture or trim has its challenges but a good stripping job can transform a scrap yard find into a coveted item or restore an antique to its former glory.

Heat Gun to aid Stripping.

If you are faced with a mainly painted surface, you may want to look into using a heat gun to ease the task a bit. A heat gun works by softening the finish and generally works best on areas with many layers of paint. Hold your heat gun close to the wood surface at a 45-degree angle, keeping your gun in constant motion over a small, manageable area until the paint start to bubble. Use a metal paint scraper to scrape off bubbled paint as you work. Move the heat gun to the next area and continue in this fashion until all paint or varnish has been removed. A heat gun is a slow but sure way to remove paint finishes but beware because they can actually scorch the wooden surface as temperatures are hot enough to cause burning. Always keep the nozzle moving and try not to let it stay in one position for too long.

Safety Precautions when using a Heat Gun.

Heat guns use a lot of electric current so always be sure to fully unwind any extension leads so that they don’t overheat. If you’re working indoors, make sure you are in a well-ventilated room as fumes are emitted as the paint softens and eventually starts to bubble. Use only on flat areas of wood, such as door panels, as the heat generated can scorch delicate mouldings. Always keep the gun moving gently about 50mm from the surface and scrape away the paint as it begins to bubble. Always protect yourself by wearing safety glasses and heat-resistant gloves. A fire extinguisher and phone nearby in case of accidental fire are also a sensible precaution to take. It may go without saying but remember to never use heat guns anywhere near natural gas lines or electrical wires

Money Saving D.I.Y Tips.

Check Doors and Windows for Leaks
We all need to pull our belts in a little and look for ways to save money but this sad fact does not stop us wanting to carry on improving the biggest investment most of us will ever make -our homes. Here are a few tips for those D.I.Y handymen and woman out there who wish to renovate and still save money in the process.
Professional Help.This may sound like a contradiction to the aim of this article but if you are not confident in your abilities to do something you should consider paying for a professional rather than wasting money making costly mistakes. Only tackle jobs that you are capable of doing to avoid wasting time and money.
Something Borrowed.If the tool you are going to be using is not something you would use regularly consider borrowing or hiring before you buy. There are many tool hiring services available for a once off specialised job.
Neutral is Nice.You may have to forgo the latest colour combinations but choosing a neutral paint for the entire house will save you a fortune. Cream and white shades are always in style, and you’ll never have to poke around the storeroom for the right can for touch-ups.

Home Maintenance Tips

Regular Home Maintenance saves you money.

Home Maintenance can be costly and time consuming. Any repairs needed must be noted and managed before they develop into major problems. Home insurance claims may be rejected because of poor Home Maintenance. Regular home maintenance will prevent many of these losses.

Check the Exterior of your home regularly.
Water Damage. Regularly check your homes roof and around any vents, skylights and chimneys for leaks. Water damage is more prone to be a result of negligence and lack of maintenance. Anything that impedes the flow of water is likely to cause leaks and consequential damage to interior finishes.

Gutter maintenance. Checking your gutters and downpipes should be a monthly inspection, but even more important before the arrival of the rainy season. Blocked and leaking gutters and downpipes can result in a build-up of water and can result in overflow and seepage into the building structure. Autumn is the ideal time to ensure that your gutters and downpipes are clear of leaves and debris. While it may not be pleasant, cleaning out of gutters is a good thing to do as it will help protect the exterior of your home from the worst excesses of those torrential summer downpours – or winter storms depending upon your location.

Flashing Inspection. Flashing, that is waterproofing bandage or membrane found where roofs meet the walls of the home, are also prone to become brittle in the sun and then becoming porous, causing gradual water damage or rising damp. Attend to these regularly, patching up any suspect areas, if possible every year.

General Maintenance of the complex is ongoing. Some of the most recent projects include the maintenance of the gates, the paving at the entrance and the lights at the entrance. there are also some minor maintenance / waterproofing tasks being undertaken at individual units.

We will soon be repainting the front gates as there are signs of rust and this needs to be completed before the rainy season. 

Please note that the interior of the individual units is the responsibility of the owners/ residents and the "common areas" are the responsibility of the body corporate. should you have any queries please contact Stonewood Properties who will advise accordingly.

A great tip for your garage door is to spray the hinges and springs with kitchen oil to keep it well lubricated. Car wax works great when it comes to keeping the garage door free of dirt. Recycled newspapers can wipe down dirty windows. After you deal with the grime, don’t let leaks off the hook. Check around windows and doors