Keeping Your Home in Tip-Top Shape: The Most Important Areas to Focus On

Keeping your home in good condition is more than just being house proud, it is necessary in order to maintain the weather tightness and comfort of your property. The following areas are the most important aspects of property maintenance and should be top of your list for regular checks. 

Structural integrity

You don’t need to be a structural engineer to carry out visual checks on your home but you do need to know what you are looking for. Spotting potential issues before they worsen can save you the stress and expense of large structural repairs. 

The most important parts of your property for structural integrity are the foundations, walls, roof and any supporting beams. If any of these elements are compromised it can cause problems for the stability of the house. Issues range from superficial cracks to serious subsidence. 

Regular visual inspections of the area around your foundations e.g. making sure your guttering is directing water away from the base of the external walls is important. Check your external walls, particularly around windows and doors for cracks. Internally make sure all windows and doors open and close correctly, look for any internal cracks, gaps between the walls and ceiling or floor and for any signs of bowing or bulging walls. 

Roof

Your roof is protecting the interior of your home so it is fundamental to the condition of the house. Visual checks from a ladder or inside the property for cracked, loose or missing tiles and slates are essential for the integrity of the roof. Remember that replacing roof tiles should be left to a professional roofer who will have the experience, knowledge and equipment to carry out repairs safely. 

Check your chimney for signs of cracks, loose mortar on the flaunch or leaning chimney pots or brickwork. Internal checks in the loft space or on internal ceilings on the first floor will give you indications of any water ingress or damp. 

Windows & external doors

The weatherproofing of your home depends on your windows and doors being in good condition and their ability to withstand the elements. Maintenance includes checking for cracks in wooden frames, loose or broken seals in uPVC units and inspecting hinges, handles and locks. Be aware of large amounts of condensation on windows which could indicate broken seals in double and triple glazing although small amounts are normal during cold weather. 

If you have older windows and doors, they will need more regular maintenance and care particularly if made from timber. Poorly maintained or damp timber frames will rot so regular cleaning and painting or varnishing is necessary. 

Guttering 

Guttering is one of the elements of your home that is often under-appreciated for the work that it does. Its role is not just to take the water from your roof and deposit it in the drains, your gutters and downpipes also play an important part in protecting the foundations of your house. If gutters were not present, the rain would run off your roof and fall directly around the base of your external walls, seeping into your foundations. Over time this would cause potential problems of subsidence or ground swell. 

Poorly maintained guttering can cause damp on your walls which can seep into the property’s interior. This can lead to the growth of mould and mildew as well as causing damage to plastered walls, decor and over time, the structure of the building. Ensure that you regularly clear your gutters of leaves, moss and debris and that there are no holes or cracks in the guttering or downpipes. 

Drains

Effective drainage is essential for the proper maintenance of your home, of course there will times when taking away waste water and sewage could become a problem and you have a blockage, then that is the time to call in drain unblocking specialists to help with unblocking your drains.

There are many outlets in your home which should be kept clear to ensure that all used water and other waste is properly and hygienically removed. Kitchen and bathroom sinks, showers, baths, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers all need outlets that are kept in good condition and free from obstruction. 

Proper use of the drains e.g. not putting fat or oils down the kitchen sink and not flushing non-degradable items will help to keep them working as they should and avoid expensive plumber call outs.