When it comes to home maintenance, it can be tempting to start on the inside and forget about the outside, especially in the cold, wet, winter months. However, your exterior is just as important for protecting your home, preventing serious damage, and enhancing that all-important kerb appeal.
Top tips to prevent serious issues:
- Inspect and clean your gutters. Blocked gutters can cause rain water to overflow, which can damage walls, leading to damp issues and even damaging the foundations of your home. Make sure that you check and clean your gutters regularly, especially in autumn or after storms. If you are not confident up a ladder, or you notice damage to your guttering, get a gutter specialist in to help you.
- Stay vigilant for mould and damp. British winters provide perfect conditions for damp: colder temperatures outside combined with central heating and plenty of rain mean there is lots of warm, damp air. Keep an eye out for damp spots, excessive condensation, or mould, and if you do notice anything, make sure that you look for the cause, rather than just treating the problem.
- Roof maintenance is essential as, if left unchecked, a relatively simple problem like a cracked or missing tile can quickly become a serious and expensive issue. Inspect your roof and if you do notice any damage, contact a roof specialist for a quote as soon as possible.
- Repaint and add exterior protection – a lick of paint will not only make your home look better, but will help to protect it from the elements, too. Make sure you use the right paint for the surface to optimise weather protection.
- Tidy paths and driveways – weeds and cracks can become trip hazards as well as leading to further damage; contact a specialist to get damage repaired as soon as you can.
- External repairs. Keep an eye on windows and doors for leaks and cracks – this will help to improve insulation as well as preventing leaks. Keep an eye on brick work and rendering and ask a local builder to repair obvious cracks and damage before it gets too serious.
If you take care of your home, it will take care of you. Maintenance may seem like a never-ending problem, but if you bury your head in the sand, things are only going to get worse. If your to-do list of home maintenance jobs is getting overwhelmingly long, check out Trust A Trader’s directory of rated handymen near you and get someone in to fix all of those niggly jobs in one go. For more tips and advice, or to find a trader you can rely on, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.