<p>Matthew Rawlinson, Mplus, Senior Facilities Manager</p>
<p>Matthew Rawlinson, Mplus, Senior Facilities Manager</p>

Design dilemma: Home maintenance is better than cure



A common misconception by UAE residents is that if it works, don't worry about maintenance. The issue with this is that when the inevitable breakdown happens with the equipment in your apartment or villa, it will cost you three times as much to carry out preventive maintenance as the price of an annual package with a maintenance company. So the moral of the story is to take regular preventative action. It will save you money in the long run.

Air-conditioning units, both internal and external, require a recommended service of at least twice per year to ensure sufficient cooling and increased air quality, as well as to reduce energy consumption. This can only be achieved by periodic maintenance by a specialist company. Water tank cleaning is another essential service recommended for all villa owners in the UAE due to high temperatures and the quality of desalinated water. The build-up of sand and grit that is found in both water supply pipes and water tanks needs to be addressed annually, at least.

High temperatures also lead to the build-up of bacteria, while the risk of legionella in both underground and above-ground tanks can increase. They need to be cleaned and treated, because water and airborne diseases can carry severe health risks, some of which can be fatal.

Due to the varying quality of contractors used in the original building of apartments and villas, along with the use of sometimes sub-standard parts and materials, the Mplus team face numerous common issues on a daily basis.

The most prevalent of these, after A/C servicing and water heater issues, would be rectification or replacement of faulty water pumps. These pumps provide pressurised water to the apartment or home. Another important task is the rectification or replacement of A/C compressors, which circulate the refrigerant necessary for heat exchange through the coils of the indoor and outdoor units; and water tank float valves, as this ensures that the capacity of the water tank is always at a maximum level. If not properly checked and maintained, this can lead to excessive water bills.

There are things UAE residents should do to maintain their homes. First of all, ensure there is adequate cooling within the home in the summer months and that the air is of satisfactory quality. This can be achieved by regular A/C maintenance, including duct cleaning, especially if they unit hasn’t been operating during the winter months. You should also ensure your water supply is not contaminated and there are no pests or rodents in your household.

It is also advisable to have someone check the electrical circuits and fixed assets in your home – the pumps, garage doors, lights for optimum operation, and correct wiring and connections. Ensure fire alarms or smoke detectors are fitted throughout your house and, if extinguishers are in place, that they are inspected and certified according to Dubai Civil Defence regulations.

We also recommend you inspect and verify your monthly water and electricity bills for the possibility of over-consumption. Many steps can be taken to reduce your monthly bill, which include periodic maintenance on all A/C units, which will reduce the energy used by the motors and compressors to cool your house. The installation of LEDs instead of standard halogen bulbs, and the fitting of automatic light timers are other quick and easy ways to reduce consumption. And for villa residents, always water lawns at dawn or dusk to conserve water and avoid evaporation.

Do you have any design dilemmas? Send them to homes@thenational.ae and we will get them answered by an expert

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Top 10 in the F1 drivers' standings

1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 202 points

2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 188

3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 169

4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 117

5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 116

6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 67

7. Sergio Perez, Force India 56

8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 45

9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 35

10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 26

Scores

Rajasthan Royals 160-8 (20 ov)

Kolkata Knight Riders 163-3 (18.5 ov)

Secret Pigeon Service: Operation Colomba, Resistance and the Struggle to Liberate Europe
Gordon Corera, Harper Collins

Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'

Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.

Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.

"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.

"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.

"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."

Brief scores:

Toss: India, opted to field

Australia 158-4 (17 ov)

Maxwell 46, Lynn 37; Kuldeep 2-24

India 169-7 (17 ov)

Dhawan 76, Karthik 30; Zampa 2-22

Result: Australia won by 4 runs by D/L method

Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final

Kashima Antlers 3 (Nagaki 49’, Serginho 69’, Abe 84’)
Guadalajara 2 (Zaldivar 03’, Pulido 90')

FIGHT CARD

Welterweight Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Tohir Zhuraev (TJK)

Catchweight 75kg Leandro Martins (BRA) v Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)

Flyweight Corinne Laframboise (CAN) v Manon Fiorot (FRA)

Featherweight Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB)

Lightweight Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) v Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG)

Featherweight Yousef Al Housani (UAE) v Mohamed Arsharq Ali (SLA)

Catchweight 69kg Jung Han-gook (KOR) v Elias Boudegzdame (ALG)

Catchweight 71kg Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) v Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)

Featherweight title Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)

Lightweight title Bruno Machado (BRA) v Mike Santiago (USA)

RESULT

West Brom 2 Liverpool 2
West Brom: Livermore (79'), Rondón (88' ) 
Liverpool: Ings (4'), Salah (72') 

Water waste

In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.

Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.

A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.

The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.

MATCH INFO

Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)

TV: Abu Dhabi Sports

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

(All games 4-3pm kick UAE time) Bayern Munich v Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg v Mainz , Eintracht Frankfurt v Freiburg, Union Berlin v RB Leipzig, Cologne v Schalke , Werder Bremen v Borussia Monchengladbach, Stuttgart v Arminia Bielefeld

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5