11.0 Property maintenance, Repair and Cleaning
It is always important to maintain your property to a high standard and here are some simple guidelines.
- Do not use vinyl or oil based paints or hang wallpaper on the inside walls for a least one year after the building is finished, or 12 months after you move in
- When redecorating, consult a reputable do-it-yourself book and follow the advice
- Use a little light machine oil (Three-in-One) or lubricant spray (WD40) on squeaky hinges and stiff locks and latches
Using the wrong cleaning materials can damage the finishes in your home. Follow the manufacturer’s advice given on the bottle or can before using cleaning materials. Do not use abrasive materials such as wire wool (Brillo pads) or sandpaper etc on any surfaces. Be particularly careful with limescale removers as they can damage the enamel on your bath. They should be cleaned regularly using warm water and a mild detergent. For instructions on cleaning items in your bathroom please refer to your bathroom maintenance documents which you can view here.
The stone work top and splash back in the kitchen should be cleaned using a soft cloth and soap and water. For more stubborn stains or marks, clean the area down first using soap and water and then apply Cif to remove the stain and then rinse the area after cleaning with water. Instructions on cleaning and maintenance of your kitchen appliances can be found in the individual instruction manuals which can be found here.
Below is some advice on the cleaning recommendations for the other materials that appear in your apartment:
GLASS, MIRRORS AND BACK PAINTED GLASS
The glass installation in the shower screens and all of the mirrors is maintenance free except for periodic cleaning.
Wash as often as required with clean warm demineralised water and a chamois leather, scrim or squeeze, and dry off.
The occasional use of a proprietary window cleaner can be used provided it does not contain ammonia. DO NOT USE scrapers to clean the glass face at any time.
STAINLESS STEEL SECTIONS SUPPORTING SHOWER SCREENS
Wash away grime and grit with warm soapy demineralised water or a mild detergent then repeat with clean water.
Dry and Polish with soft duster or chamois leather.
Please avoid using metal polish and all abrasive, toxic materials, acids, strong alkaline, nylon pads or wire wool and scrapers as this will scratch the steel.
CORIAN TOPS TO VANITY UNITS AND BATH TUBS
For everyday cleaning rinse the surface with warm water and a mild detergent using a damp cloth and then dry using a soft cloth. For more stubborn stains use a scent-free cream cleaner such as ‘Cif’. Rinse several times and dry with a soft cloth. Detergent or soap can leave a film and cause streaking if not completely removed by rinsing with water several times afterwards. Always clean in a circular motion.
Avoid using cleaning agents that contain acids, such as methyl chloride or acetone.
Do not use sharp implements to remove any build up of residue as this will damage the surface.
Maintenance details for your timber floor can be found by viewing the Lamett Maintenance Instructions document which provides details on the best materials to use to keep your floor clean as well as the various treatments and annual oil refreshing that your floor will require to keep it looking at its best. It is important that you treat any stains or spillages that might occur as soon as possible in accordance with the guidance in this document. As part of your on-going floor maintenance it might be necessary to fill any gaps that appear between the timber planks as part of the drying out process with wax. With the amount of sunlight that your apartment will receive it is inevitable that there will be some bleaching/discolouring of the timber floor particularly in the living room area and frequent oiling will ensure that this does not become too visible.
The stone tiles that have been laid in the ‘sun room’ area and on the balcony are non-porous and are a robust hard wearing material but you should still avoid putting anything on them that has a sharp surface or point. Over time as the external tiles gets exposed to the elements they might start to discolour and weather. This is only natural but we would recommend that the tiles are kept clean by simply mopping them with warm water and making sure that if anything is spilt, it is removed immediately so as to avoid any possible staining.
If you encounter a problem with the drainage to the bath or to the supply of hot water then you can access the pipework by cutting the mastic sealant around the bath panel lifting the bath panel out. We would recommend that once it is reinstalled the mastic sealant is replaced in order to ensure that the area below the bath remains waterproof.
The toilet that has been installed has a recessed cistern which can be accessed by removing the front flush plate. In the unlikely event that you need to get access to the cistern’s working mechanism then remove the plate and the mechanics can be found.
If you encounter a problem with your sink blocking, the bottle trap below it can be removed and then the pipework undone and rodded to dislodge any blockages.