Like any major investment you need to put aside time habitually to keep your house in the best condition possible and ensure it retains its value.
Here are five tips to keep your property in the best condition:
1) Inspect the roof:
One of the first areas to see damage on a property is the roof. You need to examine your roof regularly, as issues here can go unrecognized until they become a big predicament (and you get leaks). Do a visual examination for slipped, fractured or awfully damaged tiles. Look at the pointing and get someone in if this is in a poor condition. You should clear off moss from tiles if it's starting to take over. And give gutters a good clean out regularly, removing all leaves and weeds before they can clog anything up.
If your guttering has had issues that can't seem to be repaired then it may be time for some replacement guttering This might include links, sagging or cracks that do not appear to go away with your cleaning and repair work.
If you wish to go the DIY route then there are a number of gutters in the market today to buy at DIY stores. You can select to get PVC-U guttering or cast iron gutters though you should keep in view that cast iron gutters are heavier and consequently more challenging to install yourself.
If you are unable get access to your roof, contract a reputable gutter replacement firm to perform this for you. A quick search on google for Fascia,soffits and guttering should suffice, but remember to add in your local area on the search to narrow it down and find a local business that way.
2) Inspect for damp:
Always monitor your walls for damp. It's a serious problem that you must deal with straight away if you discover it. Dampness can get through defective mortar joints or hairline cracks in any rendering. In older houses the walls are usually solid which encourages damp but in many cases damp is encouraged due to pitiful maintenance. The roof, walls, floors, windows and doors and pipe work in and outside the house, are all possible causes of damp. Normally a damp patch inside the home is instantly identified as being associated to a problem outside the house.
A damp patch at the uppermost of a chimney breast will suggest the probable cause is a leak through the chimney stack. A wet patch at the top of a wall might be due to a leaking gutter outside which will require repairing or replacing
3) Check Everywhere water goes:
Be sure the cement mortar around waste pipes is in a decent state and check water down pipes for splits or leaky joints. If there is anything thriving on your walls such as climbing roses or ivy, either remove it or keep a very close eye. These plants can corrode brickwork and retain moisture in the wall.
4) Keep woodwork in good condition:
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 right away.
5) Stop leaks before they happen:
Inside your home examine your plumbing pipework and waste pipes for joint leaks. Now and again clean up bath and sink traps. And if the seals between baths and showers and the wall are starting to degenerate, replace them as soon as possible.
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