The summer season is upon us once again, where the sun is shining, the weather is sweet and we all know too well that it doesn’t last as long as we want it too, so let’s make the most of it! This is the best time to carry out any maintenance on your property and our Timberwise experts are here to remind you of a few checks and tips you can carry out on your property this summer.
- Maintaining a perfect lawn for the summer is a usual habit however pruning the flowers and cutting down over grown trees and branches can be over looked. These can usually grow up or onto your property allowing various types of insects and moisture into the property, which can lead to damp issues.
- The summer is also an ideal time to put a lick of paint on doors and windows and other external areas. This is because the paint will bond better to the wood if it is not wet or damp making for a more durable finish.
- Maintenance of drains and gutters should be regularly monitored; this simple task can prevent any blockages and prevent any potential penetrating damp problems occurring.
- Change any filters on any ventilation systems you may have within the property will help circulate the fresh summer air within the property and keep it clean.
- Keep an eye out for the flashing around chimneys and vents to make sure there no damage caused as well as checking the roof top for broken or damaged roof tiles to prevent any internal problems within the property. In addition to preparing it for the colder months ahead and prevent any damp issues.
- If you have a solid-fuel fire, it is recommended to have your chimney swept at least once a year or twice if it’s in daily use in the colder months. To find a chimney sweep near you have a look at the NACS (National Association of Chimney Sweeps) website to find a registered sweep – http://nacs.org.uk/
- Water damage can be easier to remediate if spotted in good time and can also prevent major property damage. Keeping an eye out for leaks after substantial rainfall or even on exceptionally humid days (when pipes may sweat) to make sure that there is not any soft areas on the roofing, walls or ceilings. Additionally you should be on the lookout for dampness and mould that may lead to future problems.
- Besides saving you money, insulating your piping can also prevent them from freezing and consequently bursting through the cold winter season. Investing in draft excluders for windows and doors, in addition to a good quality boiler insulating material, makes for an easy, affordable method of reducing energy bills and is good preparation for autumn and winter.
- Late summer is the best time to have your gas appliances (boilers and fires in particular) serviced. A GAS SAFE registered gas fitter should service them annually. The closer to the cooler months the busier gas engineers become so it makes good sense to have any appliances tested and serviced during the summer. This also gives you the peace of mind that as winter approaches all your appliances are safe and in proper working order. To find a registered GAS SAFE engineer check out the GAS SAFE website: http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/
- Don’t forget to test the fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in the property as these can sometimes be overlooked. In the case of a fire or gas leak, possessing detectors that are in good working condition could definitely save the lives of you and your family.