42 Ways You’re Damaging Your Home Without Realizing It. Part 2

Welcome to part 2 of our tips and tricks on how to avoid home damage! If you haven’t read part one, you can find it here. Otherwise, we’ll pick up from where we left off last time!

22) Using toilet bowl cleaners on grout

Toilet bowl cleaner isn’t an all purpose bathroom cleaner unfortunately. It contains acids that will break down grout and other surfaces overtime, causing damage.

23) Using high-gloss polish on wood floors

Though polish may make your wood floors gleam initially, it will only ruin them in the long run. Polish over time will produce build up and cause your floor to become dull and possibly tacky, causing dirt and other debris to stick to it.

24) Using bleach on hardwood floors

Bleach should never be used on wood flooring, even to remove stains. It will just leave an even bigger stain. Use a wood specific cleaner instead.

25) Using too much shampoo on your carpets

Carpet shampoo can be a great item to keep in your cleaning tool belt, but applying too much at once can cause more harm than good. If you don’t remove a sufficient amount of the product from your carpets, the shampoo can promote mold growth. We recommend removing as much moisture as possible with a carpet vacuum and opening your windows to help dry out your carpets even further.

26) Ignoring damp surfaces

Always be on the lookout for water or moisture in your home. Even if it looks like just a few drops of water, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Always investigate further and consider calling in an expert if you’re unsure about an issue.

27) Hiding your outdoor AC unit

Though AC and HVAC systems can be a little sore on the eyes, it’s important not to hide them with bushes or other vegetation. If leaves or other debris are sucked up into the system, you may have to cash out on expensive repairs. In addition to damage, you want your vents to not be blocked so that your air system is working to its maximum potential.

28) Adding additional filters to your HVAC system

Though it sounds good in theory, adding additional filters to your HVAC system isn’t a good idea. All it does is add more stress to the system and is about as efficient as having a dirty filter due to a reduction in air flow.

29) Or not cleaning them frequently enough

As we mentioned above, a dirty HVAC filter is also an issue because it limits airflow to the system. Be sure to clean (if not replace) your filter regularly to avoid this issue.

30) Using the wrong kind of extension cord outside

Not all extension cords are built the same. Make sure to only use extension cords rated for outdoor use when outside to avoid the risk of overheating and potentially fire.

31) Putting appliances near your thermostat

Though this tip won’t necessarily prevent damage, it will save you money! Almost every appliance in your home emits some heat so it’s important to keep them away from your thermostat. Otherwise, your thermostat will think your home is a higher temperature than it actually is, meaning your AC will turn on more automatically, running up the electric bill.

32) Ignoring flickering lights

Even if it doesn’t annoy you, you should always address a flickering light bulb. If replacing the bulb doesn’t fix the issue, it’s possible you have a wiring problem. Though this may not be a problem now, it opens the door to sparking wires and therefore fire. Better to be safe than sorry!

33) Not using your stove’s exhaust hood

Using your hood vent isn’t just to prevent your fire alarm from going off. Using your vent regularly will also substantially improve the air quality in your home. It’s also recommended to open your windows while cooking for even better air quality.

34) Not having your chimney and fireplace routinely cleaned

Creosote is the buildup that occurs in chimneys overtime and is extremely flammable. That’s why it’s important to have your chimney regularly cleaned, you don’t want a chimney fire!

35) Pressure washing your roof

Though pressure washing is a great tool for many parts of your property, the roof isn’t one of them. The water pressure is too high for most composite singles and will damage them. That’s why at Bayside we implement a softwash approach to cleaning your roof. If you want to learn more, head on over to our Roof Cleaning & Moss Treatment Page