Container homes are the new rage right now as more people turn away from the traditional brick and mortar designs. There are many reasons why container houses are being preferred, but that does not take away the need to maintain them. They may be the most durable types of houses, but for them to be able to last long, you have to do your part as the owner.
Things You Should Do
When it comes to maintaining a container house, the following are some of the things that should be top on your list.
Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
Being made of metal makes a house crafted out of containers very strong and sturdy, but this does not make it indestructible. Rust is the number one enemy of most metallic structures, and house containers are not exempt from this. To keep rusting at baby, ensure you apply a generous layer of coat both inside and outside to protect the container. Ensure every part is covered sufficiently. As for the joints, apply enough grease to avoid wear and tear due to constant movements.
Go the Dry Cleaning Way
Metal and moisture do not mix so well; when exposed to water, the rusting process is accelerated. Although most container homes come covered in wood and other insulation material, there is always the chance of an opening somewhere that can let water in. When cleaning a container house, avoid using excessive water, if you can help it, avoid water completely. Vacuum cleaning is one option you can resort to as it does not involve water.
Add Plants Around It
A container home should be treated like any other house; being made of metal does not make it any different. Therefore, if you have some space around it, add a flower garden and other plants to make the place more homely. You can also add some gravel leading to the doorway to create a path for the car. Line the path with flowers on either side to add an aesthetic touch to the entire compound.
Maintain the Heating and Cooling Systems
Metal is a good conductor of heat, which means that during winter, the house could get very cold and very hot during summer. To keep this under control, ensure your cooling and heating systems are working as needed. The air circulation around the house should be at an optimum level. You should also clean the air vents regularly as they can also be a source of air pollution if they are left unchecked for too long.
Mistakes to Avoid
Switching from a brick and mortar house to a container house can be a little hard on some people. There are things you may have been used to doing that will not cut it in a container house. The following are some of the mistakes you should avoid.
Using the Wrong Type of Insulation
When deciding on the type of insulation to go for always consider the climate of the area you are in. The last thing you want is to use heavy insulation meant for a cold climate when you are living in a place with sweltering heat. A hot climate should have insulation that aims towards making the house much cooler and vice versa. To Avoid this mistake, always purchase your containers from the best manufacturers and suppliers like JJC Enterprise. Check out their website at jjchouses.com to find what suits your needs.
Using Old Containers
A majority of these containers have spent many years at sea being used for shipping cargo. When you factor in the rough sea weather and the constant movements of the ship due to strong waves, the containers are bound to get some damage. Do not build a house using second-hand containers. If you can get your hands on brand new containers or the ones that have been used for a short while, the better for you.
Cooking Inside
If you are living inside a small container with limited room, you may want to cut down on the cooking appliances, especially ovens. Using an oven in a cramped space like that will unnecessarily raise the heat inside to uncomfortable levels, especially if you are doing the cooking during summer months. It is recommended that you set up a kitchen outside. If your container house is big enough, then it is okay to designate one container area as the kitchen, ensure it is well ventilated, though.
Leaving Naked Electric Wires
Now that you are living in a metal house, you may want to be extra careful when it comes to electrical wiring. Ensure you use the best contractor you can get to ensure there is no naked wire hanging around, lest you turn your house into one big electric box.
Conclusion
Maintaining a container house is not as complicated as many people may make it out to be. In fact, considering its elaborate design, it is much easier to deal with this kind of housing than the brick and mortar one. If you live alone, then you can give it a thorough cleaning once every week; for a better job, you may have to hire a professional cleaner who can come around once a month.