Getting the bach ready for summer

Summer is here. The weather is warmer and my labour weekend traditional first swim in the ocean, without wetsuit, has been ticked off the list of to-dos.

Choosing to buy a bach instead of a house in the city, I’ve spent the last few weekends tidying it up, getting it ready for summer. The lawns are down from their usual hay paddock status and the hedges and trees have had their bi-annual haircuts.

Owning a bach, crib or holiday home has long been a kiwi dream that many people aspire to, and a lucky few achieve. But before the relaxation part of your weekend can start, there are always a couple of chores to take care of. 

Here are my top bach bits and bobs to take care of before summer kicks off:

WASH OFF THE SALT

The coastal environment is harsh on homes, mainly because of salt residue from wind-blown spray from onshore winds and stormy seas. Much of this is washed away by rain, but some areas of your bach will need a hose down.

Areas to concentrate on are the underside of the roof where it extends into the gutter. A spray with a waterblaster will remove damaging salt residues and add life to your roof. Any galvanized fixings that are exposed but not open to the rain will need a waterblast as well.

If brackets and fixings have started to corrode you may be too late, so replace with stainless steel to be safe. Many decks have collapsed because fixings holding the structure together have corroded and failed. 

GIVE YOUR PAINTWORK SOME ATTENTION

The paintwork on the exterior of your bach needs to be cleaned, just like your car, so that it lasts. I use “30 seconds, spray and walk away” on everything; the bach, boat, caravan, the shed or even the tractor, and the difference is amazing. Dust particles eat into the paint and break it down, so cleaning regularly reduces this and keeps you from needing to repaint too often. 

DE-MOLD

Because baches can remain closed up for long periods of time without any ventilation, mold and mildew can easily grow and spread. Any affected areas need to be washed down with suitable mold removal products.

If the mold has eaten into the paint, there are special Scaler paints that can be applied before repainting. 

AND IT YOU’RE THINKING OF RENTING IT OUT…

Renting your bach out is a great way to make a little extra cash to pay rates etc., and it pays to have it in the best condition to get the best price.

First, make a list of all the problems you’ve encountered there over the years -because, as sure as apples, problems always seem to happen when you’re not there. Make a list of contacts - electrician, plumber, builder – so the people renting your bach can get hold of them easily, should anything go wrong. Important that the tradesman know they’re on your list so they are prepared to take calls and fix something on a Sunday afternoon.

Storing personal belongings when you rent your bach out can be a problem. Many items -including linen, photos, and art - may be important to you, but not so to renters. An outside shed is ideal, but a cupboard or even a wardrobe can be used to store personal items under lock and key. Fitting a dead lock to a cupboard will only take an hour or so, but saves a load of worry down the track.

Happy holidays, Cocksy 

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