Products that help preserve and maintain our homes

MAPS on the ceiling are a sure sign of waterproofing problem

Property management is important to ensure the proper care of a home or building. Keeping any living space in good condition requires good housekeeping and proper maintenance.

Most people are not aware that termites cause more damage to structures compared to all calamities combined. The Philippines is a country where termite infestation is common everywhere. Termites are those nasty critters that feed on cellulose materials such as paper and wood.

As such, you need a wood preservative, the most popular of which is the tried, tested and trusted Solignum. Solignum is recognized as a Superbrand and has been in the Philippine market for over 50 years. It has been proven in protecting against termites, wood borers and fungi. Solignum has become a household name; thus we hear people say, “I-Solignum mo” when faced with a termite problem.

JARDIN Distribution product manager Nancy Pereyras, Tessa Valdes, Jardin’s marketing manager Peachy Tiu and Philippine Realty TV producer John Aguliar

To complement Solignum, it is likewise important to apply a soil termiticide such as Soilguard. You see, termites come from the soil and so it is a must for you create a “barrier” to prevent termites from entering your home. Termites that come in contact with soil treated with Soilguard are killed through contact, ingestion or inhalation of the active ingredient; thereby providing protection from the entry of termites.

Another element which we often neglect is the proper waterproofing of concrete firewalls, basements and toilets. If your house has poor waterproofing, “maps” will appear in your house’s concrete surfaces, indicating leaks. This ruins your hefty investment as it can damage not only your appliances and furniture but also the structure itself. In some cases, homeowners suddenly find a pool in their basement, where there used to be none. Truth be told, some contractors deliberately try to use inferior waterproofing products just to save costs and thereby increase their profits.

Don’t let this happen to you. I have recently heard about Super Thoroseal waterproofing. Contractors have been using this product for over 100 years. Since it is cement-based, it behaves in the same manner as the concrete surface especially with regard to how it reacts to intense heat and rain. It’s also easy to apply, just mix it with water and it can be painted over concrete just like how you do it for ordinary paint.

If you have a concrete balcony, canopy or roof deck, you must use a flexible type of waterproofing because these areas are typically prone to shaking or movement. For this, you should use Optimum Flex. What is good about Optimum Flex is that it ensures an error-free mix. Poor waterproofing usually happens because of wrong application and incorrect measurements of the product. Optimum Flex is a flexible waterproofing membrane which is composed of two parts: a liquid component similar to glue which our kids use in school, and a powder component which is similar to cement. You mix the two parts together and you’re ready to apply it. There is no need for special equipment.

SOILGUARD from Jardin Distribution

For protection from roof leaks, we need to ensure that our roof is free from debris such as fallen leaves, stones and dirt. We also need to check cracks and holes. For this, there is Sureseal “Iwas Crack” elastomeric sealant which is designed to be elastic and has strong adhesion to surfaces like GI sheets and PVC pipes. Sureseal is also toluene-free, which means it has no addicting smell unlike other elastomeric sealants in the market.

Lastly, your house needs to be protected against home pests, especially if you have small children. There is an aerosol multi-insect killer called Zap. Zap offers powerful knockdown without the irritating smell, providing protection from dengue-carrying mosquitoes. For your problem with rats, there’s a bait called Klerat which is proven to eliminate these horrific creatures in a single feed. For roaches and ants, there is Optigard Roach and Ant Bait.

I recently did a video shoot for Philippine Realty TV on ANC with the team from Jardine Distribution and we had a good talk about these. It’s great to have all these products to help preserve and maintain our homes.

Follow @tessavaldes on Twitter or visit www.tessaprietovaldes.com.

Read more...