Prevention Is Better Than Cure
An old saying that still holds true is ‘prevention is better than cure’. Many emergency repairs around the house could be avoided by carrying out regular maintenance checks of the various items that need to looked at.
Draw up a list of things that need to be checked. Shelving and racking, for instance. Make sure they are still securely fixed to the wall. If one has worked loose, try fitting a larger wall plug and a longer screw.
Plumbing checks.
Stop cocks can jam because they haven’t been used for a while. Two or three times a year, fully close them then open them again. A stiff handle should work loose after a couple of turns. A tap that keeps dripping even after being fully closed needs a new washer.
Electrical checks.
Never work on live equipment. If you are working on an appliance, unplug it first. If it is permanently wired equipment, turn off the power at the mains. Light fittings should be checked for signs of wear. Extractor fans should be cleaned regularly.
Central heating checks.
With gas fired central heating, if a radiator is not heating up properly, there is probably air trapped inside which needs to be bled out. Use the radiator key to slowly turn the valve until the air begins to escape, as soon as the hissing stops, close it quickly to prevent water escaping. A small container such as a bowl will be useful to catch any that does.
Tags: racking, shelving, storage, storage systems