It is important to look after your home, as it looks after you. These are a few of the key things you can do to your home to ensure it is well maintained, inside and out.
Exterior
1. Chimney – ensure chimney pots are secure and repair any broken joints or cracks. Make sure metal flashing is secure to prevent further damage to the chimney and roof. Also, keep fireplaces clear to ensure they are properly ventilated and clear of obstructions.
2. Roof – replace cracked, slipped, rotting, missing, or loose tiles and flashing. Look out for sagging, moss and algae or sitting water, as these can indicate serious damage and that you could need a new roof.
3. Gutters – check that guttering is securely attached to the property. Ensure it is not leaking and that soffits and fascias are secure and free from rot and cracks.
4. Window & Door Joints – replace any broken window joints and lubricate hinges. Keep joints between windows and doors protected from water with a sealant. Also, be sure to check for condensation in double glazed windows as this indicates that the glazing is defective.
5. Walls – maintain mortar joints in brick walls and fill in any cracks to reduce damp and prevent increased damage. Repaint and redecorate walls and exterior paintwork, timber and cladding, and cut back creepers as they can deteriorate the wall and joints. If you have stone walls, you may consider having stone cleaning services to improve its appearance.
6. Damp-Proof Course – you should maintain ground levels to at least 150mm below the level of the damp-proof course.
7. Driveways – check uneven and worn path and driveway surfaces and repair where necessary to prevent damage or injury.
8. Drainage – periodically lift manhole covers and clean out your drains to keep them well-maintained. You should also keep trees and shrubs away from outside walls as roots can break pipes and prevent sufficient drainage.
Interior
9. Roof Interior – check your roof interior for rot, decay, leaks, damp patches, insulation, sagging, and water damage, as these are all signs that you could need to replace your roof. Also be sure to check for wood boring beetle and rodent infestations as they will need to be exterminated.
10. Ceiling – sagging and cracked ceilings indicate damage so should be repaired immediately. What’s more, damp patches are signs of water damage and also needs tending to to prevent harm caused by damp.
11. Floors – be wary of uneven floors, distorted floorboards, cracks, and damp floors, as they can all indicate a poor house structure and need to be rectified as soon as possible.
12. Plumbing – repair damaged or leaking plumbing including leaking taps and clean out plumbing traps regularly. Insulate water tanks and pipes to reduce temperature loss, and ensure their valves operate adequately.
13. Heating – check that central heating, radiators, pipework and tanks are working sufficiently and properly service them regularly to ensure optimum performance.
14. Electricity – never make alterations to your electricity without qualified advice as amateur repairs can be dangerous. Your wiring should be checked by a professional if it is over ten years old and has not been inspected for more than 5 years, if fuses blow, you receive a shock from a socket, you see hot or discolored fittings, or your cables are not secure. Choose the best local electricians who are equipped with electrical tools like this heat shrink tubing so they can perform the job well.
15. Gas Appliances – your gas appliances should be regularly checked, as if they have not been properly installed or maintained, they may emit harmful carbon monoxide. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, keep gas appliances ventilated and chimneys and air vents unobstructed. You can also install a carbon monoxide detector marked BS 7860 which will warn of any carbon monoxide present. In addition, if you need washer and dryer repair services, then you may consider hiring an In-Home Washer Repair specialist to service your unit.
Regularly carry out these 15 tips to keep your home well maintained. Maintain your chimney, roof, guttering, joints, walls, damp-proof course, driveways, draining, ceiling, floor, plumbing, heating, electricity and appliances to keep your home in tip top condition and prevent further, more costly, damages. You can find further information about property maintenance here, or get in touch today for more advice on your home.
