They say our homes are our castles, but falling behind on basic repairs could cost a king's ransom. By keeping on top of home maintenance tasks, you can nip potential problems in the bud and have a home that's always fit for royalty.
Carrying out regular checks on your home allows you to spread the cost of any repairs and helps avoid the need for expensive emergency callouts. Having a well-maintained property could also help keep your home insurance premiums at a reasonable price in the future.
Last, but not least, it's also worth considering that many home insurance policies exclude damage caused by wear and tear or lack of maintenance, so keeping records of your checks can help to support future claims.
Make a list of jobs to do
Following a checklist can help you spot potential problems before they get out of hand. To help keep things simple, you may want to create one list for spring, and one for the autumn. That way, you’ll make sure your home is ready for whatever the weather throws at it.
Seasonal checks also increase your chance of spotting any damage as soon as it occurs, whether it’s been caused by a sudden cold snap or a torrential downpour.
As you work your way around your property, make a note of quick fixes and take a basic toolkit with you. If you see anything that needs extra work, you can decide if you need to call in the experts.
Start by checking outside your property
- Look at external walls to see if there are any cracks or crumbling bricks, or if any airbricks are blocked by earth or leaves.
- Ask a neighbour if you can look at your roof from their window to check for any missing or damaged tiles.
- Look out for torn coverings to flat roofs, broken chimney pots or missing pointing.
- Twice a year, clear guttering of leaves and other debris, or you could face issues with drainage. Don't ignore dripping overflow pipes.
- Look closely for splits and cracks in guttering and pipes.
- Check windows and doors and make a note of missing mastic, putty, cement, rotting seals or flaking paint.
- Don't forget to take photos or videos.
Alongside your seasonal checks, it’s always a good idea to inspect the outside of your property after any extreme weather event, such as gale-force winds. This will help you identify and repair any damage straight away.
Stay hot on your central heating
Summer is a good time to make sure your boiler is working. Getting issues fixed early can help reduce the need for emergency callouts when the weather turns cold.
Here's how to keep your central heating in tip-top condition:
- Let out air from the radiators and clean out any grilles.
- Do a top-to-toe inspection of the floors and roof space and don't forget to look for signs of leaks in your loft.
- Make sure that any timbers are free from damp and woodworm.
- Check that pipes and tanks are fully insulated.
- Even in the summer months, it’s a good idea to run your heating system for a few minutes every couple of weeks. That way, you can reduce the risk of valves and parts seizing up.
- Remember to monitor your boiler’s pressure gauge. This should sit between 1 and 2 bars, usually around 1.5. If it’s too low or too high, it could be a sign that something is up.
In addition to your own checks, it’s important to get your boiler professionally serviced once a year. Summer or early autumn is usually best, to help avoid winter breakdowns.
Keep an eye out for damp
Patches of damp on walls or ceilings could mean there's a leak in the roof or radiators. If left untreated, this could cause long-term problems.
Here's how to check for damp in your home:
- Keep an eye out for stains above skirting boards.
- Use your nose – sometimes you can smell damp even if you can't see it.
- Spot signs of condensation such as steamed-up windows, damp patches, puddles on the windowsill, peeling wallpaper, black spotty mildew and water running down walls.
- Make sure any window trickle vents are open and free from dust, as this can help reduce condensation throughout the year.
- Remember to run kitchen and bathroom extractor fans after cooking or showering.
Good ventilation is key to preventing damp, so try to air your home regularly. Check out our article on house burping to find out more.
Ready to do your home maintenance checks?
Before you start, it's a good idea to check that your home and contents insurance covers you for any mishaps.
And remember, if you're unsure of anything, it's always best to call a professional for help.
