Surviving the Cairns Summer: 7 Essential Home Maintenance Tips
Owning a home in a tropical climate like Cairns comes with a lot of perks, but it also comes with some unique maintenance requirements.
If you don’t properly care for your home — especially during the hottest months of the year — you could end up with expensive repairs and issues that negatively impact your property value.
This guide breaks down seven essential maintenance tips every Cairns homeowner should keep in mind. They’ll help you protect your property and ensure it stays in great shape year-round.
Cairns Home Maintenance Essentials
When you own property in a tropical location like Cairns, you must pay special attention to certain areas of your home, including the following:
● Roof: A well-maintained roof will protect tenants from the hot sun, tropical rainstorms, and everything in between.
● Gutters: Clogged rain gutters and downspouts can lead to water leaks inside the home, contributing to mould growth and potential structural damage.
● Ventilation: Improper ventilation can increase humidity in the home, leading to mould growth and poor air quality.
● Landscaping: Proper landscaping beautifies the property, reduces the risk of your home being damaged by flying debris during storms, and helps to prevent clogged rain gutters.
These certainly aren’t the only elements of your home you should worry about. However, prioritising them can provide some of the most significant returns on your investment.
Top 7 Home Maintenance Tips
From the roof to the windows, maintaining critical areas of your home will help you ensure it stays comfortable and safe throughout the summer and beyond. Proper maintenance will also save you money and can potentially increase the property’s value in the future.
Here are seven of the most crucial home maintenance tips to keep in mind to preserve your property:
1. Stick to an Inspection Schedule
Regular inspections can help you combat numerous issues with your property (many of which can be very expensive).
Arrange for professionals to come to your home and examine the roof, rain gutters, and air conditioner. If they notice any potential problems, such as missing shingles or clogged drains, they can address them right away and prevent them from getting worse.
Remember, this approach almost always costs less than waiting until something goes wrong (for example, your roof starts leaking).
How often should you schedule these inspections? Most experts recommend getting your roof and air conditioner inspected once per year and inspecting the rain gutters once every six months.
2. Invest in Insulation
Properly insulating your home will help to keep it cool during the hottest months of the year. This allows tenants to stay comfortable and keeps energy bills low.
Focus on insulating the space between the ceiling and the roof, as well as the spaces between the walls. Consult a professional to decide which type of insulation — and how much — to use.
3. Monitor Moisture
Humidity and moisture buildup are some of the most common issues property owners in tropical areas face. If moisture isn’t kept in check, mould can grow and spread throughout the home, leading to unsafe indoor air quality and potential health challenges.
Regular inspections help you catch issues like leaky pipes that can contribute to increased moisture in your home.
Pay special attention to crawl spaces, the spaces under kitchen or bathroom sinks, and other damp areas that aren’t easily visible. If you notice signs of mould, contact a professional and get it removed as soon as possible.
Another easy way to manage moisture inside your home is to use a dehumidifier. Running it overnight can help to lower humidity levels and keep the house comfortable without racking up expensive energy bills.
4. Install Ceiling Fans
Installing ceiling fans is an effective and affordable way to encourage proper ventilation, prevent moisture, and keep the home cool during the summer.
Ceiling fans help hot air to rise and leave the house as quickly as possible — just make sure they’re set to spin counter-clockwise. They also help tenants feel cool and comfortable without having to blast the air conditioner all day, every day.
5. Landscape Strategically
If you’re considering updating the landscaping around your home, make decisions that can protect the property long-term. For example, planting shade trees will help to keep the home cool during the hottest times of the year.
You should also be sure to keep up with trimming and pruning your trees and shrubs around your property. Without regular care and maintenance, they could damage your home’s roof, rain gutters, or windows — especially during tropical storms.
6. Clean Rain Gutters Regularly
Regular rain gutter cleaning is a simple but effective way to preserve your home’s roof and prevent water from entering the house.
If you have concerns about roof leaks and mould growth, make sure you have your rain gutters inspected and cleaned twice per year. This simple task can help you avoid more complex and expensive repairs later on.
7. Prioritise Pest Control
As a property owner in a tropical area like Cairns, you must also be on the lookout for the presence of pests like spiders, ants, termites, and cockroaches. These critters thrive in hot, humid environments.
Remember that it’s easier to prevent an infestation than to resolve an existing one, so schedule regular treatments with a pest control team.
Pest control professionals will scan the area and alert you to potential issues right away, meaning you can treat them before they escalate and cause serious problems. They can also recommend repairs and upgrades that will protect your property from pests in the future.
Need More Maintenance Advice? Work with a Property Management Team
Maintaining your Cairns home can feel like a full-time job, especially during the hot and humid summer months. If you don’t have time to handle maintenance on your own, partner with a professional property management team.
Champions in Real Estate is run by Cairns locals who are familiar with the unique challenges homeowners in this area face. We offer expert guidance and support to help you maintain your property.
Contact us today to learn more.
