when it is good to be high maintenance....
- joshirley
- Nov 27, 2021
- 3 min read
As we head into winter, pack away our summer and autumn clothes and start to think about keeping warm and dry during the cold winter months it is important to ensure we undertake a pro-active maintenance review of our homes to safeguard them against future problems and potential damage. Our homes are our biggest asset and like our car and our health should have regular seasonal check-ups to keep them functioning properly. Many of these can be undertaken by you or a family member although some will need professional attention from a tradesman. If you haven't done any maintenance for a number of years, it is recommended that you do a thorough review of your property including your boiler, plumbing, electrics and exterior such as drains, gutters, windows and walls to understand if there are any issues potentially looming. Once you are satisfied that everything is working well it is much easier in future years to do some simple annual checks that are outlined below.
Boilers
Check your carbon monoxide and smoke/fire detectors are working and that the batteries have been changed. This is especially important around this time of year when windows are closed against the cold and there isn’t as much natural ventilation. Also with the increased use of candles and real fires during the Christmas celebrations we all want to know we’re keeping everyone at home as safe as possible.
This is the time when fires that have been abandoned all year are suddenly turned on. Don’t forget to get your chimney swept and the fireplace inspected.
Garden Checks
Disconnect your garden hose and store in a shed or garage. This will help prevent cracking and will prolong the life of your hose. Also make sure any external pipes and taps are properly insulated so that pipes don’t freeze and eventually split. There are many external pipe and tap insulation products that are very easy to fit yourself and are available from most DIY stores.
If you are going away it is tempting to turn all your water and heating off. By keeping the heating on you can keep your pipes warm and prevent them from freezing. Set two temperatures for your house, one for when you are in and another for when you are away.
It is also important to move all outdoor furniture and appliances inside such as BBQ’s, lawn mowers, garden furniture and turn off all sprinkler systems.
Guttering
Do a quick visual check of all the guttering around your house by either taking a look from the ground or getting a closer look by climbing up a ladder - you could even use a pair of binoculars if you have some! It is important that you know what you are looking for so below are some tips to help you out:
Plants are growing out of your guttering. I have seen little trees growing out of gutters. It is very important to make sure they are kept clean to ensure water does not make its way back into your house.
If bugs are crawling around in gutters there is a high chance they are clogged as many animals including birds, mice and squirrels like to make nests.
If water is overflowing this is a sure sign of clogged gutters.
Gutters are sagging. The weight of the debris being damp or waterlogged can cause gutters to sag and may even pull away from the house.
Your walls have stain marks. If you notice that your siding has been stained, this may mean that there is standing water in your gutters. Stagnant rainwater may end up damaging walls behind your gutters.
It is always a good idea to do an internal check from the roof down. If you have any darker spots on your ceiling it can either be a roof or tile that needs repair or a gutter problem that is leading water back into your home.
Don’t forget gutters don’t clean themselves and will need a good clean every year.
Windows
If you have any windows that are prone to condensation build up, especially when the heating is on and the weather outside is cold, then invest in one of the great products now available online or in stores. There are now super efficient windowsill dehumidifiers that cost less than £50. Some of them are even rechargeable so you don’t have to have unsightly wires dangling around your home. Alternatively you can buy moisture traps or water absorbing pads for just a few pounds from any good homeware store. This will prevent damage to woodwork and walls as well as health benefits by preventing mould and fungus spores.
Most yearly jobs can be completed yourself, however, at Mallorn we offer a full home maintenance service for you. If you are interested in finding out more, contact us at marcus@mallorndesign.co.uk. It will no doubt save money in the long run. www.mallorndesign.co.uk @mallorninteriordesign #mallorn_interior_design
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