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Your home needs constant care both inside and out to ensure that it lasts for many more years to come. Looking after the interior is one thing but remember that the exterior also needs plenty of care!
Begin indoors
Check the boiler as a first port of call. You’ll need a qualified engineer to manage this but if you do it regularly, it could save you thousands in the long-run. You also want to be certain of enough heat over winter.
Next, sweep out your chimneys! Choose a professional sweep and you’ll have no worries about chimney fires over the colder months.
The entry points to your home are vulnerable to wear, tear and the effects of bad weather. Ensure the seals on doors and windows are still airtight. Inspect them carefully and check for signs of damp as you go.
A tricky place to access but vital in terms of your home’s health, your loft needs a yearly check-up! You’re looking for signs of damp in the roof and also around the gable ends. Dampness can quickly get worse and then the next thing is the whole house can become infested with moisture which can ultimately affect your building foundations.
Pipes should be checked and lagged so that there’s no frozen water issues. Locate your stopcock and make sure it’s in good working order in case there are any burst pipes over the winter and you need to turn the water off quickly.
Checking the exterior
Clean your gutters! A full gutter can add to damp issues over time; water running down the side of the house is not healthy!
Inspect trees which might be close to your house so that there can be no nasty surprises during high winds. Weak or dead branches should be removed.
Perform a general check over all walls and brickwork. You’re looking for cracks and wear as well as loose mortar. If you find faults, get them fixed before the bad weather arrives. Consistent maintenance will help you to maintain a functioning building for much longer. When repairs are completed quickly, there’s less time for long-term damage to occur.
