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Your property could be one of your biggest investments, so it makes sense to keep it in good condition. Extreme weather conditions during the winter months can take their toll. Fortunately, the winter weather is yet to materialise, so it’s the ideal time to get prepared. Below is an essential maintenance checklist to ensure your property remains in good condition during the winter period.
A blocked gutter might not seem like a big problem, but it can lead to major damage. An overflowing gutter or a split resulting in a leaky gutter can mean water discharging straight onto your walls. Water will penetrate brick and stonework leading to damp, and if it freezes in the cold, water can quickly cause serious damage to masonry.
Keeping your roof in good condition is a year-round concern, although in a stormy, cold winter, it’s even more important. Check for cracked, broken or missing tiles. These can all let water in, causing damage to the structure of the building.
Broken and missing tiles can also let high winds pass through, resulting in further tiles being lost. What could have been a relatively cheap and quick fix could turn into a major repair job.
Any gaps or cracks in the exterior of your property could result in long-term problems if left untreated. If moisture from the outside finds its way into the property, you could be facing serious damp and mould issues. This is easily avoided through regular inspections and property maintenance. Key areas to focus on include:
Make sure the boiler has been serviced; it’s going to be working harder over the next few months. Consider putting a service plan in place, and if it’s a gas boiler, make sure the gas safety certificate is up to date.
Every habitable floor of a domestic property should have a working smoke alarm, and any room with a boiler or solid fuel appliance, e.g. a working fireplace, must be equipped with a carbon monoxide alarm. Commercial property fire alarms and emergency lighting require routine servicing to ensure the systems are operational and meet statutory obligations. While testing your alarms, check the burglar alarm is working for added reassurance on dark nights.
When water freezes in extremely cold weather, it expands and can result in burst pipes. To prevent this:
Sometimes, extreme cold weather can freeze locks. Rather than incurring an emergency call out cost from a locksmith, a pre-emptive spray with lubricant can help prevent sticking.
Proactive maintenance is vital to ensure the weather and circumstances over the winter months do not take their toll.
If you require maintenance advice or assistance with arranging repairs following unfortunate events, then please contact David Sawford.
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