BLOGS

Father’s Day: The Builders of our Future

The great responsibility implicit in fatherhood can never be understated, even on Father’s Day. Traditionally, fathers have always been the builders. They eked out a living off the rough ground through their toil. They created safe spaces for their families to grow and prosper with their sweat. Without a doubt, they build more than just families – they are the builders of our future, as well.

Although our conceptions of gender roles have changed for the better, it would still be suitable for fathers everywhere to be a little self-sufficient by knowing some handyman knowledge. This Father’s Day, it’s also a great way for fathers to pass on this knowledge to their children.

In honor of their importance this coming Father’s Day, we’re going to talk about things that have been traditionally left to the fathers of the family to accomplish.

 

The Home Maintenance Checklist

From keeping a house clean to repairing structural damages, every father must know the basics of maintaining a home. This will ensure that the family’s sanctuary is safe and sound at all times. A protective and nurturing environment like this will help the children in their path forward.

In this section, we’re going to talk about the most common basic house maintenance tasks to keep your home in tip-top shape.

 

Minimize Dust

 

One of the simplest yet most important things you can do is to control the dust build-up in your home. 

Although we rarely, if ever, think about dust, it can impact our health badly if not dealt with properly. Dust is a combination of microscopic dirt, skeletons, feces, and even residual chemicals. Thus, it’s no surprise that dust can aggravate existing health conditions such as asthma and rhinitis.

Even the most beautiful luxury house can still gather dust. Therefore, it would do you well to eliminate as much dust as possible through regular vacuuming, wiping, and periodic dusting.

 

Control Moisture

Another one that we often do not think about is moisture. Excessive humidity causes various problems for a home. Water in dark places can cause mold, which not only compromises the structural integrity of the house but can also be toxic, not to mention unpleasant to the eyes.

Always make sure that your house has proper ventilation. Use exhaust fans wherever there’s a high presence of moisture, such as in the shower or kitchen. Make sure that you regularly air out rooms, as well.

 

Always Clean Your Air Filters

 

Luxury homes need a sound air conditioning system to keep you nice and cozy during the harsh summer months. These systems need to be periodically cleaned, or else the dust in the air can accumulate.

Because the air conditioning system filters are saturated with dust, this means that they’re not filtering the air anymore, and you end up with more pollution inside your home. In addition to this, a clogged-up air filtration system reduces your air conditioning system’s efficiency and can even result in some malfunctions such as machine damages or even fire.

Remember to check your air filters regularly, at least once a month. For best results, you should also get professionals to clean out your luxury home’s air filtration system at least thrice a year.

 

Check the Structural Integrity of Walls and Windows

Minor damages in your walls and windows can become huge hindrances in the future if not properly taken care of and can reduce the value of properties for sale.

Cracks, rots, and damages slowly deteriorate the materials over time. It allows entry of all manner of undesirable things into your homes, such as cold drafts, moisture, more dust, and even insects and rodents. Lastly, damaged and chipped paint on your walls can also be a cause for worry, as it will speed up the deterioration of your exterior structure.

One of the most common issues of this nature is damaged caulking or chipped paint, which you can easily replace or repair in a matter of hours. For more serious things, like a cracked window pane or damage to something load-bearing, it’s best to call a professional unless you have prior knowledge.

 

Do Frequent Checks of Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Smoke Alarms

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are a must for luxury homes far and wide. These tiny devices warn you of approaching dangers which otherwise would be invincible until it’s too late.

Make sure that these systems are working correctly at least twice a year. Check if any of them are malfunctioning or are glitching out and whether or not their batteries appear to be fully charged.

When you can, it’s also often a good idea to switch to smart alarms, which have more intelligent functionalities such as voice alerts and the ability to be monitored by computers online.

 

Maintain Your Lawn

 

Your lawn is one of the first things people see when they approach your luxury house and lot, so having a well-kept lawn is crucial if you want to make a good impression on your neighbors. Having a proper landscaping job done is ideal, but you only really have to look tidy for the most part.

Aside from being unappealing, an unkempt lawn can also be home to insects, rodents, and even snakes, so it’s essential to at least keep your property trimmed if you don’t have any landscaping.

In this respect, you don’t have to do anything special. Ensure that your vegetation is getting lots of water, removing the weeds, and trimming your greenery from time to time. If you have a lawnmower, it’s also a good idea to send it for maintenance about once a year, where experts can keep its engine in tip-top shape and its blades ready for cutting. This is one of the simple, meaningful, and productive activities that you can share with your dad this Father’s Day.

 

10 Top Home Maintenance Tools Any Father Should Have This Father’s Day

Even if we know the basics of home maintenance, we still won’t be able to do much if we don’t have the right tools on hand. 

Next, we will discuss the top 10 most needed maintenance tools you should gift yourself or your dad this Father’s Day.

 

Pneumatic Nail Gun

Every household needs a hammer. One of the oldest and most reliable handyman’s tools, the hammer has been around ever since humans learned how to use tools. From hammering in nails to use as impromptu hanging places to making an outdoor shed, a hammer is one of the tools that your toolbox shouldn’t miss.

But if you want a step up from the traditional hammer, a pneumatic nail gun should be your go-to. Nail guns give you the benefit of a hammer without all the hassle and effort. This nail gun from WEN can handle 3/8 to 2-inch nails and can help you whether you’re framing a wall or fixing the fences to your luxury home.

 

Precision Ratchet Screwdriver Toolkit

 

Just like the hammer, you can use a screwdriver for any screw-related tasks. From using screws to attach things to assembling ready-made furniture, the screwdriver is an essential tool to have in your toolbox.

A ratcheting screwdriver has an internal mechanism that allows you to quickly and continuously turn the screws without lifting the screwdriver. Although this doesn’t sound like much, it’s everything when you’re doing a big project without using a drill.

This screwdriver kit from Grows is a premium toolkit that contains 22 interchangeable screwdriver bits. You’ll get your task done much faster if you have the right bit instead of making a hardware run every time you encounter a new kind of screw. You can use this screwdriver tool kit for everything: from sensitive electronics, fine jewelry, and even big woodworking projects.

 

Multipurpose Laser Level

A level tells you whether or not a surface is leveled off, either through fluids or electronic means. This is particularly useful when you’re woodworking, as it is one of the easiest methods to ensure a level edge.

You can use a level a lot around the house, such as mounting pictures, installing towel bars, and even drilling holes in a straight line. You don’t want any of your maintenance and DIY projects to be all wonky and uneven. Not only do they look funny, but they also won’t be as strong.

This multipurpose laser level from Qooltek is the perfect tool for any kind of leveling needs. A laser level is more convenient to use than manual levels and allows you more options when leveling and measuring.

 

Groove-Joint Pliers

Because of its design, a groove-joint plier, like these insulated pliers from WORKPRO, is a comprehensive tool that can handle anything, from wiring to turning nuts and bolts and gripping oddly-shaped objects. It also opens wide enough to grip a lot of different surfaces and things from various angles.

 

Vise-Grip Pliers

The vise grip looks like standard pliers, with the addition of a locking mechanism that will add an extra level of tightness to its grasp. Vise grip pliers like IRWIN’s original locking pliers are particularly usually if you need a robust and non-slipping grip on something, such as when removing a screw without a screwdriver or holding small objects still.

 

Measuring Tapes

 

It might not have crossed your mind, but you’re going to have to take many measurements when doing projects. You can measure the dimensions of a cracked windowpane for replacement or measure the length of a piece of wood that you will use to replace the rotted part of an exterior structure. From cutting to decorating, tape measures are your best friend.

This laser tape measure can instantly and effortlessly find the distance between anything. From quickly noting down the dimensions of a room to finding the length of a project, you’re just one button away from the exact measurements that you need.

 

Drill and Drivers

A power drill, like the ones in DEWALT’s Combo Kit, is one of the most versatile power tools in the handyman’s toolbox. You can use it from making holes to drilling screws to mixing paint. You can also use it not only in woodworking but also in dealing with metals and concrete.

There are essentially two kinds of power drills: corded and cordless. Corded drills have direct access to electricity through their electric cord, so you wouldn’t run out of power mid-project and have to wait. However, it can quickly get unwieldy when working on projects that require you to drill in different places.

The cordless drill relies on a battery for power. Although this is much more portable and maneuverable, it’s also significantly more expensive, and you run the risk of running out of power mid-project if you’re not paying attention to its remaining battery life.

 

Jigsaw

The jigsaw is another power tool that any handyman shouldn’t go without. A jigsaw is a power-saw with a thin, sharp blade that oscillates back and forth. Because of its slim edge, a jigsaw can make delicate cuts, follow curves, and make holes easily. This tool is also helpful for cutting things in odd angles, as it is light and compact and can also fit in small areas.

You can use a jigsaw like Bosch’s professional jigsaw machine in most DIY projects, but especially when cutting out rotten or damaged wood in an odd part of the home for maintenance.

 

Picture Hanging Tool

 

A picture hanging tool is one of those tools that we never think about unless we need them — and then we do think about them a lot. Nobody likes staring at a bunch of uneven pictures. More than that, making a mistake during the drilling process for the mount will damage the wall, and that looks uglier.

This type of tool allows you to mark where precisely the nail should go, and it also includes a spacer tool and a level to make sure that the spaces between your nails are even and straight.

 

Compound Miter Saw

It might not seem like it, but sawing something takes a lot of effort and energy. More than that, if you’re inexperienced, you are more likely to create uneven and curving cuts that won’t sit flush on the space that you’re trying to fit it into.

Thus, a compound miter saw is essential for any beginner DIYers around the home. With this, cutting a bunch of thick wood is a piece of cake, useful for when you need to cut wood, such as in woodworking or construction repeatedly.

 

Honoring Dads this Father’s Day: The Builders of Our Future

Our societal attitude towards gender roles has changed dramatically in the past couple of years. Still, the essence of fatherhood remains the same: to provide, nurture, and build a great future for the family.

Here in Brittany, we give fathers everything that they need to accomplish this task, even outside of Father’s Day. We have the best-designed luxury homes for sale in the market, set in lovely exclusive communities.

Aside from being merely beautiful, our homes are created to last for decades. From the comforts of their Brittany home, fathers out there can watch the beautiful future that they built for their family to unfold.