Property maintenance tips.
Your home is probably the biggest purchase you will ever make – and it needs to be carefully looked after. Like any major investment you need to put aside time regularly to keep it in the best shape possible and ensure it retains its value.
Simple steps to preserve the Value of Your Home:
Roof
One of the first places to see damage on a house is the roof. You need to check your roof regularly, as issues here can go unnoticed until they become a big problem. Do a visual inspection for slipped, cracked or badly damaged tiles. Look at the pointing and get someone in if this is in a bad condition. You should remove moss from tiles if it's starting to take over. And give gutters a good clear out regularly, removing all leaves and weeds before they can block anything up.
Walls
Regularly check your walls for damp. It's a serious problem that you must deal with straight away if you find it. Dampness can get through defective mortar joints or hairline cracks in any rendering.
Water damage
Ensure the cement mortar around waste pipes is in a good condition and check water down pipes for splits or leaky joints. If there is anything growing on your walls such as climbing roses or ivy, either remove it or keep a very close eye. These plants can damage brickwork and retain moisture in the wall.Check your plumbing pipe work and waste pipes for joint leaks. Now and again clean out bath and sink traps. And if the seals between baths and showers and the wall are starting to deteriorate, replace them immediately. Check caulking; look for leaks around showers, baths, sinks, faucets, toilet bases and supply valves. Repair as needed.
Woodwork
All wooden window and door frames should be painted at least once every three years. This will stop dampness getting in. Renew any broken sash cords in windows, and fix broken or cracked glass immediately.
Ceilings
Check your ceiling at the exterior edges and surfaces around windows for evidence of moisture, which could indicate damp problems. Check the ceilings beneath bathrooms for leaking.
Floors
Check all tile joints for adequate grout. Check all stairs (and railings) for loose elements.
Alarms
Test all smoke and safety alarms. If you don't have a smoke detector on each floor, buy and install them. Install a carbon monoxide detector, or test your existing one.
Electric
Check for exposed wiring and cable. Check cords and plugs and replace at first sign of wear or damage. If fuses blow, circuit breakers trip frequently, or any appliance sparks or shorts out, contact a licensed electrician for repairs.
Heating and Water
Know the location of all gas shut-off valves and the main water shut-off. Make sure your heating system and all fuel burning appliances are adequately vented and properly maintained.
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