To ensure its durability, usefulness, and comfort, your granny flat requires regular maintenance and care. A granny flat, also called an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), is a secondary dwelling unit attached to a primary residence. Like any other building, a house needs regular care and maintenance to stay in good shape and last as long as possible.
We'll cover everything you need to know about taking care of your granny flat in this comprehensive guide. Cleaning, repairing, and making sure a home is safe are all important parts of keeping the place in good shape for the people who live there.
You can save money on repairs and provide a comfortable and secure environment for yourself, your family, or your tenants by keeping up with routine maintenance and care for the granny flat. You can keep your granny flat in great shape for years to come if you learn the fundamental upkeep procedures and put them into practise.
Cleaning advice, routine inspections, repairing basics, and safeguard upkeep are just some of the topics we'll cover in this manual. The value of preventative maintenance and the significance of seasonal checks will also be covered. If you follow these rules, you'll be able to keep your granny flat in good condition for longer and reduce the likelihood of costly repairs.
So, let's dive into the world of granny flat maintenance and care to keep it serving its purpose, looking good, and feeling cosy for years to come. With diligence, you can have a comfortable home that serves your needs and welcomes its occupants with warmth and comfort.
What Is A Granny Flat?
A granny flat is a small dwelling on the property, either attached to or separate from the primary residence. The typical layout includes a kitchen, living room, bathroom, and an entrance, and is intended for one or two people.
In the realm of real estate, a granny flat is known by the terms accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and accessory apartment. The term "granny flat" originated because of its common use in providing housing for retirees. This area goes by a few different names: in-law, carriage, and bonus unit. It's also known as a granny pod.
A granny flat need not be brand new construction. Basements, attics, and garages are all viable options. Many people are choosing to incorporate this unit because of its many benefits. The increased value of a home is a major perk for many people who have granny flats built onto their existing houses. If they decide to sell their homes, the extra space will allow them to ask for a higher price.
Tips To Help Keep Your Granny Flat Clean
Hire Cleaners
DIY cleaning of your granny flat will have its challenges. If you are pregnant or ill and unable to clean your home, for instance, you will need assistance. Another option is to hire professional rubbish removal services once your tenant has vacated the granny flat.
Come Up With A Cleaning Routine
To keep things from getting out of hand, you should do some types of cleaning once a week and others once a day. Not everyone does their laundry on Mondays, though; some prefer Fridays. On Sundays, some people like to give their bathrooms a thorough cleaning. Create a routine for cleaning and stick to it.
Spend Some Time Cleaning Each Day
Every day, you should check to see that things at home are not getting out of hand. Maintain a regular laundry schedule. Once you've gotten the kids off to school, you can begin cleaning the house, beginning in the bathroom. Verify that everything has been placed in its proper location.
Avoid Scratching The Floor
You can rearrange the furniture from time to time, but be careful not to scratch the lovely floor when doing so. Don't try to lug those heavy tables and sofas around. Instead, move them to a corner and put towels under them to keep them off the floor. You can simply pull the towels and move the furniture.
Declutter
This is one of the guidelines you should follow when cleaning your grandmother's apartment. To make more room, get rid of things you don't use or don't particularly like. That way, you'll have fewer things to dust and your home will look cleaner.
Focus On One Room At A Time
You can get more done if you clean just one room at a time. You can keep cleaning the space until it's spotless. In that way, you can avoid starting projects only to abandon them midway through. One advantage is that you won't have to clean it again for a while.
Get Rid Of What You Do Not Need
Many things you think you need but actually don't turn up when you do your regular cleaning. It's past time to do away with them. Hire professional garbage removal services. Items such as out-of-date home furnishings, clothing you no longer wear, and toys for children who are now adults should be donated or thrown away. That way, you can streamline your cleaning by reducing the number of items you need to dust.
Have A Place For Everything
Put in the effort to get rid of everything you don't need or love. Make sure the things you care about have a good home after you've gone through your belongings and discarded what you don't need. If there are other people living in the house, make sure they know where to look for it. That way, they can efficiently clean by putting things back where they belong.
Make The Cleaning Fun
Cleaning is fun, so have fun with it. Make sure that all of your loved ones have a good time. Getting lost in the cleaning process can be therapeutic, even if some tasks are less appealing than others and you're not always in the mood to clean. Put on some relaxing tunes, light some candles, and use your favourite cleaning supplies. That's how to create a joyful experience for you and your loved ones.
Picking the right broom is essential for a spotless granny flat. There are many kinds of brooms available, and they all have their own special cleaning tricks. Brooms with fine bristles and a soft, flexible handle that allows for manoeuvrability are your best bet when cleaning a smooth floor. Brushes used in the outdoors must have firm bristles and sturdy handles because of the porous surfaces.
Design Ideas For The Coolest Granny Flat On The Block
The temperature and energy costs in your granny flat can be reduced with the help of a number of design features. Among these are:
- Superior heat reflection from the roof. There are a number of spray-on heat-reflective coatings available today.
- Floors, walls, and ceilings that are well insulated to keep the heat outside on hot days. When temperatures are high, reflective insulation provides the most comfort.
- Capturing and redistributing cooling airflow from vents in the roof.
- With double glazing, cool air can be kept inside and hot air kept out. The absence of air between the panes of glass makes it thermally insulating.
- The placement of the house's windows and doors makes it possible for fresh air to circulate freely inside.
- Small elevation to take advantage of breezes and promote airflow under the house.
- Roof eaves to provide cooling shade from the sun during the summer (especially for west-facing windows).
- An airy, open floor plan was used throughout the building.
- All windows and doors should have security screens installed to ensure a safe and efficient nighttime cooling system.
As well as the design of your granny flat, the way it is positioned on your block can also contribute to efficient cooling in summer. Ideally, if it is an elongated building, one of the longer sides should face north, with the shortest side exposed to the west, which receives the strongest radiation from the sun during the hottest part of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Granny Flat
Regular cleaning is important to maintain a clean and hygienic living space. Aim for weekly or bi-weekly cleaning routines, including dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors, and cleaning surfaces. However, the frequency may vary based on the level of occupancy and personal preferences.
Apart from regular cleaning, focus on tasks such as cleaning windows, sanitizing kitchen and bathroom areas, washing bedding and towels, and keeping the outdoor areas tidy. Pay attention to high-touch surfaces and ensure proper ventilation to prevent the buildup of dust and moisture.
Regularly inspect and seal any cracks or openings that pests could enter through. Keep the premises clean, store food properly, and dispose of waste promptly. If needed, consult with pest control professionals for preventive measures or to address any existing infestations.
Yes, seasonal maintenance is important. Tasks may include cleaning gutters and downspouts, checking and maintaining HVAC systems, inspecting the roof for any damage, testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and preparing the granny flat for extreme weather conditions.
For minor repairs such as a leaky faucet or a loose doorknob, you can often handle them yourself with basic tools and DIY tutorials. However, if you're unsure or the repair seems more complex, it's advisable to seek the assistance of a professional to avoid further damage.
Ways To Keep An Existing Granny Flat Cool
Even if you weren't involved in the planning of your granny flat's construction, you can still take measures to make it more comfortable during the summer months without breaking the bank on an air conditioner.
- Large trees will provide the most summertime shade, while smaller trees, shrubs, and vines will help keep the exterior walls cooler. Create wind tunnels in your yard by planting a row of trees and bushes.
- If you want your roof to stay cooler in the summer, paint it a light colour.
- Tile floors are preferable to carpet, and blinds should be used instead of drapes (except for block-out drapes on west-facing windows) to keep the house cool.
- The transpiration of indoor plants can help cool a room by evaporating water.
- Set up artificial shading that can be moved to follow the sun's path, like a pergola, shutters, or a retractable awning.
- Close drapes and blinds during the day when the sun is at its hottest, and throw them open at night when it's cooler outside.
- Use natural light (by installing a skylight or light tube) and energy-efficient artificial light to cut down on waste heat production.
- Vent the steamy air from the kitchen, bathroom, and dryer outside.
- Open windows and use ceiling fans to circulate air (fans are cheaper to run than air conditioners).
- You can benefit from the downward movement of cool air by directing your ceiling fans to run counter-clockwise.
- Shut down unused spaces and direct air conditioning to high-traffic areas during the day.
- Consider purchasing a portable dehumidifier if you live in a particularly humid area.
- Air conditioning costs 10% more per degree above 25C, so if you must use it, don't go any lower than that.
- If your air conditioner is older than 10 years, you should think about replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.
- If you have a deck, try living more of an indoor/outdoor lifestyle by using the grill instead of the oven in the evenings.
One person's granny flat is another's luxurious mansion. It could serve as a place for visitors to stay, an office, a workshop, a hangout for teenagers, or as a permanent residence. No matter what you use it for, you can keep it comfortably cool in the summer without breaking the bank by incorporating sensible design features, taking advantage of the site's orientation, and using other cost-effective measures to combat the sun's heat.
Some Tips For Building A Granny Flat
Let's say you've decided to move forwards with the building. How do you go about constructing a high-yielding granny flat?
Get Approvals Early.
The local council's approval is required before any construction can begin. In most cases, you'll need not only a building permit, but also a permit to cover up utility lines. The limitations that your land may impose should also be thought about. Don't rush into construction without first finishing your planning; otherwise, you may find that your structure doesn't conform to building codes.
Budget Properly.
It's possible, as with any construction project, that unforeseen costs will arise and force you to go over budget. Estimate how much it will cost to build the apartment. Then, set aside an additional ten to twenty percent of your total budget for contingencies. This helps you stay away from the overcapitalisation problem.
Find The Right Contractors.
It's reasonable to believe that any contractor could assist you in constructing a granny flat. However, experts in this field of building should usually be relied upon. These contractors have a more in-depth knowledge of the rules and regulations that pertain to granny flats. In addition, they are more likely to adjust to your needs. Find a builder who has previously completed successful granny flat projects.
Make Clever Design Choice.
Granny flats are typically smaller than standard homes. You can make the most of the available area by incorporating round tables and shelves into the walls and dividers in the room.
Conclusion
The ability to choose the correct builder is crucial to the success and smoothness of a granny flat construction project. Single-family homes often have "granny flats," or accessory housing units, attached to the property for the use of a single person or couple. They can be custom-made, bought prefabricated, or put together from a kit. A granny flat often has a living room, bedroom, and kitchen, while some smaller accommodations may not have a full kitchen. The Granny Pod is the most recent development in the granny flat industry; it has state-of-the-art monitoring systems, such as a medication dispenser with a timer and a bathroom that can keep tabs on the resident's body temperature and urine results.
Local regulations, zoning requirements, building restrictions, and community covenants all make it challenging to construct a granny flat. Having a granny flat on the property can boost security, allow for more efficient use of resources, and allow for more financial efficiency. The best way to find a trustworthy granny flat builder is to look at ratings of their completed projects and view examples of their previous work. Building a granny flat necessitates homeowners insurance with a home warranty. To keep assembly prices down, it's important to work with qualified and trustworthy suppliers.
There should be a variety of design choices and clear expression of wants and needs. It's important to think about finances before building a granny flat, as a home with one will certainly cost more. The regulations for adding a mother-in-law suite to a house, the credentials and experience of the contractor, utility costs, maintenance costs, insurance premiums, and the advantages of living in a granny flat are the essential facts in this article. Granny flats have many benefits, including increased privacy, reduced need for public transit, and the protection of individual space. When planning or acquiring a home with a granny flat, it is also vital to consider the additional costs of utilities, maintenance, and insurance.
If you want to save money on housing costs while also being closer to your family, a Granny Flat could be the perfect solution. The initial investment is substantial, but the rental income more than compensates for the expense. You can use it as a primary residence, assist an elderly family, or rent it out to generate cash. Either a separate structure in the rear or an addition to the existing house might serve as a granny apartment. Depending on the space available and building codes in your area, it may also be possible to turn it into a garage, basement, or attic. A granny flat is a fantastic solution for families who want to be close while still allowing their elderly members some independence.
They start at around 300 square feet and go up to about 1,200 square feet. Granny flats can be either freestanding or linked to the main house. If there is enough space on the property, a detached construction is preferable; otherwise, an attached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is the next best alternative. Internal apartments have a common entry with the rest of the home, while external apartments have their own separate entrance.
When backyard space is at a premium, converting an unused room or section of a house into a small apartment is a practical solution. On the other hand, home improvement projects raise legal, structural, architectural, and energy efficiency questions. Include lots of windows and air vents, maximise ceiling height, and employ techniques like long-view sites and clear passageways between components to possess a gorgeous granny flat. Planning a granny flat also requires thinking about adequate storage space. When building a granny flat, it's crucial to establish its function, make the most of available square footage, let in natural light, avoid clutter, keep things simple, add visual appeal, be creative, and include elements of the outdoors.
Furniture should be basic and tidy, and paint colours should help the space feel more open and calming. Stone, wood, and plant containers or vertical gardens are all great natural components to incorporate. When designing a granny flat, it's necessary to think ahead. Seaside getaway, Victorian flair, classic contemporary, and container chic are all fresh takes on the classic granny flat. Slatted walls and gable roofs are typical of beach houses, while pillars, double-hung windows, and elegant corrugated metal roofs characterise Victorian-style dwellings.
Container Chic is characterised by square or boxy forms, corrugated iron coverings, flat roofs, and a restrained aesthetic inside, in contrast to the classic minimalism of contemporary architecture. Due to their sturdy construction and extra room, granny flats are rising in popularity. In order to better match the contemporary architecture, brick facades have made a comeback. It is possible to construct a granny flat in a design and hue that makes it virtually invisible next to the brick homes around it.
Content Summary
- Regular maintenance and care are essential for a granny flat's durability and comfort.
- Granny flats, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), are secondary units attached to primary residences.
- Proper care and maintenance are crucial for the longevity of any house.
- Routine maintenance and care can save money on repairs and provide a comfortable living environment.
- Learning and implementing fundamental upkeep procedures can keep a granny flat in great shape for years.
- The guide covers cleaning advice, routine inspections, basic repairs, and safeguard upkeep.
- Preventative maintenance and seasonal checks are emphasised to reduce costly repairs.
- The goal is to keep the granny flat serving its purpose and looking cosy for years to come.
- A granny flat is a small dwelling, either attached or separate from the primary residence.
- The typical layout includes a kitchen, living room, bathroom, and entrance, designed for one or two people.
- Granny flats are also referred to as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), accessory apartments, in-law units, carriage units, bonus units, or granny pods.
- Granny flats can be constructed in various existing spaces such as basements, attics, or garages.
- Building a granny flat can increase the value of a home and allow for a higher selling price.
- Hiring professional cleaners or rubbish removal services can assist with cleaning challenges.
- Establishing a cleaning routine and sticking to it can help maintain cleanliness.
- Regular daily cleaning and checking that everything is in order can prevent issues from escalating.
- Care should be taken when moving furniture to avoid scratching the floor.
- Decluttering the granny flat can create more space and make cleaning easier.
- Cleaning one room at a time can help complete tasks more efficiently.
- Getting rid of unnecessary items reduces dusting and keeps the home cleaner.
- Providing a designated place for everything and ensuring others know where things belong promotes efficient cleaning.
- Making cleaning enjoyable by playing music, lighting candles, and using favourite cleaning supplies can create a positive experience.
- Choosing the right broom, such as one with fine bristles and a flexible handle, is crucial for cleaning smooth floors.
- Design features like superior heat reflection, insulation, and airflow contribute to energy efficiency in a granny flat.
- Proper positioning of windows and doors allows for natural ventilation and cooling.
- Incorporating shade from roof eaves and utilising an open floor plan can enhance comfort.
- Installing security screens on windows and doors ensures safety and efficient cooling.
- Implementing measures like planting trees, using light colours, and ventilating spaces help keep an existing granny flat cool during summer.
- Utilising ceiling fans, natural light, and energy-efficient lighting reduces waste heat and promotes airflow.
- Planning, budgeting, finding experienced contractors, and making clever design choices are crucial when building a granny flat.
