Your home represents a very considerable financial investment and it makes good sense to keep it in good condition.
Regular checks of various parts of the building, and prompt maintenance, can pay dividends in preventing more serious and costly repairs.
The following list is not intended to be definitive or fully comprehensive but is intended to be a simple, easy to follow, maintenance guide that we have compiled to give you some key areas to monitor and maintain.
Roof
Roof Slopes and coverings, for example tiles, slates - particularly after severe weather conditions check for slipped, cracked or badly damaged tiles. Cement pointing at the roof edges. Make sure that this is kept in good condition.
Remove lichen and other moss growth from tiles/slates if this becomes heavy.
Flat roofs, normally covered in felt or metal are prone to defects. Felt in particular has a limited life. Whenever possible try to avoid walking or standing ladders on flat roofs as the covers can be very easily damaged.
Check flashings and valley gutters or hidden gutters for blockages and leaks. Valley gutters are particularly prone to defects and should be cleaned out at regular intervals.
Make sure that the chippings to your flat roof remain evenly laid and clear away any heavy moss or lichen growth as this can retain moisture.
Keep chimney pots and cowls in good order and ensure that the brickwork cement joints are in good condition.
Gutters often become blocked with leaves, weeds or debris and should be cleaned out on a regular basis. Replace or repair any missing or defective sections immediately in order to protect the property.
Loft
Check for bird ingress or wasp' nests. In very rare cases where you find bats, remember that they are a protected species so you will need specialist advice.
Check condition of water storage tanks and pipe-work and ensure they are properly covered and lagged.
Walls
Dampness can penetrate through defective mortar joints or hairline cracks in the rendering. Although very fine surface cracks may appear insignificant, it is always sensible to fill them to be on the safe side. Ensure that the cement mortar around the waste pipes is in good condition.
Use a pliable waterproof mastic sealant to close any gaps around the window or door-frames.
Never bridge a damp course by building up external paving levels or garden borders. A sensible guide is to keep external levels at two brick courses below damp course level, or inside floor level.
Never render walls down to external ground level as this is likely to bridge any damp proof course. Always finish the rendering in a properly formed bell cast.
Water may get behind poor rendering which could lead to dampness. Any cracked or loose areas of rendering should be repaired or replaced.
Remove ivy or other climbing plants in particular from walls and gutters. Such plants can damage stone/brickwork and retain moisture in the wall.
Do not allow any sub ground floor air bricks to brick become blocked. Failure to do so will prevent adequate air flow and could lead to decay.
Check water down-pipes fro splits or leaky joints.
External Woodwork
Paint/re-stain window frames and other joinery at regular intervals.
Periodically check window and door frames and repair any timbers affected by wet rot.
Regular painting will help avoid the timber becoming rot affected.
Replace broken or damaged sash cords or window latches.
Renew cracked or broken panes of glass and replace missing or loose putties before redecoration.
Electrics, Heating and Plumbing
We strongly advise that you have the electrical installation checked by the electricity board at least every three years as the system can deteriorate with age and Regulations are being constantly updated.
Ensure that you obtain qualified advice before making any alteration to the electrical wiring system.
Ensure that you know how to get to internal and external stopcocks in the event of an emergency.
Check your plumbing pipe-work and waste-pipes for joint leaks and from time to time clean out bath, sink and washbasin traps. Reseal joints around shower bases and other appliances.
Clean through overflow pipes from water tanks or cisterns.
Arrange for central heating boilers, water heaters and heating appliances to be regularly serviced to maximize efficiency.
Clear blocked soakaways or gulleys. Blockages in a drainage system may be cleared by rodding or pressure hosing.
The site
Shrubs and trees can be damaging to the fabric of the property and so their growth needs to be restricted. Keep soil, trees and shrubs away from outside walls wherever possible.
Cut back any wall climbing plants such as Ivy as they can damage walls and can encourage damp penetration.
Extensions/Alterations
Before you start any structural alterations or extensions check with your local council as to whether Building Regulation or Planning Approval is necessary.
If you live in a Listed Building remember that Listing Building Consent may be necessary even in the case of minor alterations to the appearance of the building.
Energy Conservation
The thermal efficiency of your property can often be improved for a relatively modest cost. These measures can often result in an improved internal environment; reduce carbon dioxide emissions and lower fuel bills. Such measures include:
- Draught exclusion to windows and external doors.
- Proper insulation of hot water cylinders and lagging of water pipes.
- Check that your loft insulation is thick enough but make sure that gaps are left at the eaves to allow sufficient ventilation of the roof space, and remove from below water storage tanks.
- Ensure that your heating controls are effective, e.g. consider the use of automatic time clock controls, thermostatic radiator valves, thermostatic cylinder controls etc.
- Double or secondary glazing of windows.
