Before you go on holiday this summer, put your mind at rest with simple tips to avoid mishaps around the house while you are away. With soaring temperatures homes around the UAE take a beating each year and need special care to keep them in good shape, Dan Garner of Jim Will Fix It, tell us.
“The hot weather does mean you have to care for your home differently. Our best advice for the exterior is to always paint the outside as it not only improves the look and feel of your home, but also acts as protection,” says Garner, co-owner.
“After 10 years of operating in the UAE, every day is different. Our British booking team usually receives on average 250-300 calls a day and within that you can always guarantee an unusual enquiry most days. We are regularly asked to rescue cats from trees and rooftops. My favourite request to date was installing an AC unit for a gigantic rabbit hutch in a customer’s garden.
“Whereas maintaining gardens in the summer is concerned, there is no way to protect garden accessories and furniture beyond the widely used covers, but we advise [buying] materials that will last longest in the sun. Hardwood furniture for example can be refreshed every few years. But plastic furniture can rot very quickly in the Dubai climate,” he says.
Plumbing and air-conditioning are the major issues Garner says they face in the UAE.
“Plumbing can often be a problem in apartment buildings. We recommend a thorough check of all taps, sinks, toilets and especially water heaters when you move into your apartment and on an ongoing basis. If you do find your apartment is leaking water it’s not only costly because it wastes water, but it can also cause lots of damage to the contents and wooden flooring. For air conditioning, it’s just as important that it receives regular servicing and maintenance to ensure everything is in working order and efficient. The most common air conditioning problems are either water leaks or quite simply your AC stops cooling your apartment or villa.”
Here are some things to keep in mind if you are away this summer:
- It might sound simple but make sure you turn off all power points to save electricity. Unplug from the wall sockets any unnecessary electrical equipment, especially something that could drive your neighbours crazy, such as a 6am alarm. Don’t unplug the fridge though.
- If you have your AC control on a timer, set it to be on for a couple of hours a day just to cool the interiors or put it on an automatic setting of around 27 degrees. Leave all doors inside open to promote airflow and if you plan to leave only one AC operating within a villa, choose an upstairs one as cooler air naturally flows down.
- If you have plants or animals move these into one room to save on your DEWA bill.
- Leave curtains and blinds drawn in rooms that receive direct sunlight to keep the temperature down.
- If you don’t have a garden or other dependent services, turn off your main water supply while you are away. This sounds simple but it’s easiest and best way to prevent any water leaks or damage.
- You don’t want to come back from holiday and find your beautiful garden reduced to a desert-like state. Arrange with your gardening service to keep coming while you are away and don’t isolate the water supply or else your irrigation will run dry within a day.
- Get a good friend or neighbour to keep watch. Give them a basic “to-do list”, ideally for a twice-weekly basis to include watering plants, starting your car, looking for signs of leaks and just generally check everything is in working order. Make sure you leave your overseas contact details with them and bring them a present back from your holiday to say thank you. You can always repay the favour when they go away next time.
— For more log on to jimwillfixit.ae