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Home Design Guides: Maintenance

Hot water emergencies

6 hot water emergencies - and how to deal with them

No hot water? Hot water tank leaking? Don't panic! Depending on what's wrong, there are a few basic steps you can follow to assess and control the situation.

6 common aircon problems

6 common aircon problems

Is your aircon dripping water? Not blowing cold air? Perhaps it's making funny noises or blowing out a bad smell? There are a few different things that can go wrong with an airconditioner. Find out how to deal with them.

How to improve insulation in walls

Insulation in walls can make a huge difference to the comfort of your home. Find out how to improve your wall insulation.

Restumping a house

Over time, stump subfloors need to be restumped to make sure the house is evenly supported. Find out what restumping involves.

How to improve your WiFi range

How to improve WiFi range

Find out how to set your home up to get the best range and signal from your WiFi access point. Learn more about what affects signal strength and range.

How to reseal a roof

Getting your roof sealed has many advantages - the first and most obvious of which is that it effectively becomes completely waterproof. Learn more about roof sealing and resealing.

10 tips to reduce your power usage

Learn the secrets to cutting your bills and improving your energy efficiency. Cutting electricity use is a great way to save both money and the environment.

What to do in an electrical emergency

Electricity can be very dangerous when things go wrong. Find out what you should do when you have an emergency that involves electricity.

How to use your switchboard / switch box

Not sure about how your switchboard works? Have the lights or appliances gone out only in one part of the house? Find out how to use your safety switches, circuit breakers or fuses.

How to clean and oil a deck

Properly cleaning and oiling your deck will help to bring out its natural colours and make it look like new. Find out the best way to go about it.

Emergency plumbing repairs

Emergency plumbing repairs

Need some help with plumbing? Got a leak and not sure what to do? Don't panic - here's some quick how to handle various different sorts of plumbing emergencies.

How to deal with gas leaks

A gas leak is serious business - and is extremely dangerous anywhere in your home. Find out what steps to take if you suspect there is a gas leak inside your home.

How to improve your home's insulation

Is your house not keeping out the neighbour's noisy parties? Perhaps you're intending on setting up a home theatre? Find out more about how to improve the soundproofing in your home with better insulation.

DIY vs. professional insulation

What sort of insulation can you install yourself - and when might you need to hire a professional do the job properly? Find out more about what's required to install different sorts of acoustic insulation.

8 tips for safe home maintenance

Most maintenance is pretty basic - but some of it can be deceptively dangerous. Here are 8 rules to help you maintain your home without ending up in hospital.

Working at heights and on ladders

Thinking of getting on the roof? Awkward to get the ladder exactly where you want it? Make sure you understand how to stay safe when working at heights.

Working with electricity

Ever had an electric shock? Not sure what you should and shouldn't be working on in your home? Find out what you should handle in terms of your home's electrical systems.

BUILD home maintenance schedule

Download our free home maintenance schedule. This schedule's a great way to stay on top of all of your home maintenance tasks, and to keep your place in perfect shape for years to come.

Why is maintenance important?

A well maintained home, even if it’s covered in brown tiles, green shag pile and other construction crimes from three decades ago, is a much better home.

Lead paint

Beware of lead paint when renovating

Everyone knows about asbestos, but it’s surprising how few people realise how much of a risk lead paint can be – and just how common it is in older Australian homes.

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