- Date Published:
- 21/05/2008
It's time for a home health check. Whether it's spring or not, now is the ideal time to give your property an annual health check and plan any essential maintenance work.
Ian Davis, director general of the Federation of Master Builders, the UK's largest building trade organisation, says: "Maintaining and improving the outside of your home is well worth the investment and will always make it more marketable. Most of the work can be undertaken by competent DIY enthusiasts, but some specialist work, such as roofing, window and pointing repairs should be left to professional builders."
To help you keep your home in good shape, here are the FMB's top tips for your spring home health check:
- Start at the top: Check the roof for any missing or damaged tiles or cracks in roofing felt. You are responsible if something from your property, for example a falling roof tile, causes damage or injury to passers-by
- Check guttering for any damage and clear away any blockages that may have accumulated over the winter months
- Replace damaged or rusted cast-iron guttering with a modern alternative
- Check brickwork for cracked or crumbling pointing and replace before moisture seeps in
- Check external paintwork, especially on wooden door or window frames, and make a painting plan of action for the drier summer months
- Repair or replace any damaged frames
- As the weather gets warmer, remember to adjust your central heating to a summer setting to save energy. This is also a good time to bleed your radiators to get rid of air pockets
- In the garden, check wooden sheds and fences. Mend any damage and treat with wood preservative
- Clean algae from paths and patios, repoint joints where required
- Finally, it's worth checking your home security. You should have good locks on all doors and windows - check that they are in working order
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