Although Covid lockdowns and quarantining at home poses challenges, it also presents new opportunities for homeowners. Many of us struggle to find time in our regular lives to do those home repairs and renovations we have always dreamed of or talked about. Staying safe during quarantine is important and there are options for anyone wanting to start their next home improvement project safely.
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Do It Yourself (DIY)
The first step in any DIY project is deciding on which project to tackle out of the long list you most likely have. Your home improvement ideas such as giving the walls a fresh coat of paint, revarnishing your deck, landscaping your garden or installing extra shelves and new cabinetry are all possible. There’s plenty of online information you can find, tutorials and blog sites dedicated to DIY home repairs that have detailed instructions and planning examples. Once you have decided what needs fixing or what you want to create in your home, plan the equipment and materials you will need and where you can source them.
The majority of hardware stores offer click-and-collect shopping or delivery options, so you can easily pick up supplies, and rent the equipment you need with minimal hassle. You can also try asking family and friends if they can deliver items for you contact-free, that way you can get started at home on preparations for the project. Washing walls and surfaces before painting, clearing the deck you wish to revamp, digging overgrown weeds out of your garden beds or clearing a space to build those shelves, are all handy starters before your DIY project begins!
If you are on a budget, there’s plenty of affordable options for smaller improvements you can make. Refurbishing old furniture, building a planter box or decluttering your home are great ways to fill in time and won’t cost you a lot of money. Quarantine is a great opportunity for homeowners to make their house a more inviting, more liveable space and brings with it a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
Find temporary solutions
While there are many tasks you can do by yourself, some maintenance and improvements do require a professional to safely complete the job. It’s always important to assess what is an urgent and non-urgent repair and whether you do in fact need an expert’s assistance and the equipment they have access to.
Most companies have friendly and knowledgeable staff who can help determine if your issue needs immediate attention, or if it can wait. In the meantime, try finding temporary solutions for the things you want fixed around your home.
That could include things like turning off and taping up a faulty light switch, reinforcing a broken door frame or hanging a picture over a hole in the wall. If you look around, I bet there’s plenty of small jobs that can fill in time and improve your sanity during quarantine. You’d be surprised how many things can be fixed with supplies you already have lying around the house, a little bit of research and some hidden creativity!
Hire a professional
Spending more time at home can lead to noticing additional repairs that need to be made; repairs that would usually be conducted by a professional. Faulty plumbing issues such as leaking water pipes or a blocked drain might not seem urgent, but often require immediate repair due to expensive water bills, excess damage to the internal structure of your home and safety risks. Professional services are still available for anyone in quarantine needing urgent repairs or advice so don’t hesitate to seek help. Consulting with a company who offers a leak detection service or drain cleaning can resolve issues quickly and at a far more affordable cost than most plumbers.
Homeowners should take the time to research and should adhere to the company’s current Covid-19 guidelines before hiring them. For example, aus-test.com.au, a Melbourne leak detection company, have quickly remodelled their service to meet the demands and still follow guidelines of the Covid-19 pandemic.
They offer socially distanced, safe and quick service for quarantined homes, and use preventative measures like gloves, face masks, disinfectant and contactless payment to keep workers and clients safe. This way people can have their repairs or faulty plumbing seen too, with less risk involved and peace of mind for all parties.
How to stay safe
Don’t forget that it is the homeowner’s responsibility when using a professional repair service to check the company Covid-19 guidelines, or make sure to enquire once you have made contact. Make sure reasonable measures are taken and wear protective clothing when the technician arrives at your home. Wear gloves and ask all members of your household to wear facemasks, minimising the risks placed on all people involved.
Remember to disinfect any equipment you have rented or borrowed and sanitise the areas that the workers may have been in afterwards. These small steps make improving your home safe and easy for everyone during this time.
Being stuck inside is never ideal, but with a touch of ingenuity, some creative flair and a little bit of hard work, your time in quarantine can be a worthwhile experience for you and your house. Repairs and upgrades can help pass the time, but they also keep your family active together in a constructive and fun way.
You can stay home safely during quarantine without boredom driving you crazy and without the constant, over-whelming thoughts clouding your mind. Plan your next DIY project today and use the time at home to your advantage. Start on those long-forgotten projects or create some brand-new ideas to brighten up your home. The satisfaction of your accomplishment awaits you.
