Home Maintenance
This article was written and distributed by the Federation of Master Builders, the building industry's largest trade organisation, representing over 13,000 small and medium-sized companies throughout the UK. If you'd like to know more about the FMB, or would like to find a reputable builder, try the Find a Builder web site at: http://www.findabuilder.co.uk.Spring into action...it’s time for a home health check
The British weather can play havoc with the exterior of your home but with spring in the air, now is the ideal time to give your property an annual health check and plan any essential maintenance work. Says Richard Diment, director general of the Federation of Master Builders, the UK’s largest building trade organisation: “Maintaining and improving the outside of your home is well worth the investment and will always make it more marketable. Most of the work can be undertaken by competent DIY enthusiasts, but some specialist work, such as roofing, window and pointing repairs should be left to professional builders.” To help you keep your home in good shape, here are the FMB’s top tips for your spring home health check: Start at the top – check the roof for any missing or damaged tiles or cracks in roofing felt. You are responsible if something from your property, for example a falling roof tile, causes damage or injury to passers-by. Check guttering for any damage and clear away any blockages that may have accumulated over the winter months. Replace damaged or rusted cast-iron guttering with a modern alternative. Check brickwork for cracked or crumbling pointing and replace before moisture seeps in. Check external paintwork, especially on wooden door or window frames, and make a painting plan of action for the drier summer months. Repair or replace any damaged frames. As the weather gets warmer, remember to adjust your central heating to a summer setting to save energy. This is also a good time to bleed your radiators to get rid of air pockets. In the garden, check wooden sheds and fences. Mend any damage and treat with wood preservative. Clean algae from paths and patios, repoint joints where required. Finally, it’s worth checking your home security. You should have good locks on all doors and windows - check that they are in working order. If you need a builder to carry out maintenance or repair work telephone 08000 152 522 or log onto www.findabuilder.co.uk to find a host of local FMB builders covering almost every trade imaginable - from roofers to plumbers to general builders and more, and it's FREE! But do chose your builder with care. Be clear about the work you want done, obtain estimates – or better still, written quotations - from two or three different builders, ask for references and check their previous work, and avoid dealing in cash.
Copyright 2007 Federation of Master Builders. You can find more useful articles like this at: http://www.buildingarticles.co.uk.
This article was written and distributed by the Federation of Master Builders, the building industry's largest trade organisation, representing over 13,000 small and medium-sized companies throughout the UK. If you'd like to know more about the FMB, or would like to find a reputable builder, try the Find a Builder web site at: http://www.findabuilder.co.uk.
Preparing For Winter - Your Home Can Provide The Clues
If your windows have been rattling this summer, check them out and make sure they are fixed so don’t fall out. Peeling paintwork could be an indication of rotting wood underneath, crumbling brickwork may need urgent attention and dislodged roof tiles can cause untold damage if not replaced before winter arrives. It pays to inspect your home for clues to trouble spots on a regular basis and whether the house is new or old. If problems such as damp are caught early significant savings can be made. Stains on walls, plant growth or moss around pipes and gutters are clues that your gutter or pipes may be leaking. Check that drains and gullies are carrying away water effectively. It’s also worth checking the security of fixings and joinings. A few minutes spent clearing weeds and debris, or just a few pounds spent to mend a leaky gutter can save many hundreds, and possibly thousands of pounds. It may be worth cutting any tree branches that are shedding leaves into your guttering. It’s worth remembering to deal only with reputable tradesmen. Check out the references of anyone you are considering employing and do not make snap decisions on builders who cold call at your door whether it’s for routine maintenance or emergency work on your house. Sudden bad weather often brings out the cowboy tradesmen keen to make a quick buck at the expense of vulnerable customers. Main problem areas include: • ROOFS – Get your builder to fix loose or replace missing slates or tiles before water causes serious structural damage. Moss should also be removed as it is a retainer of damp. • VALLEYS, FLAT ROOFS, CHIMNEYS AND JUNCTIONS – Get your builder to check for damage to these areas. Damage may not be obvious but can cause internal damp. • WALLS – Avoid earth build-up at the base of walls as this could be the site of a damp problem. Keep underfloor ventilators clear. Ground level garden plants should be removed if damaging walls or blocking drains. If mortar joints are loose, crumbling or missing, get your builder to fix them. If damp is already getting in but the pointing looks fine, get your builder to check the joint and the lead flashing where the roof tiles meet the brickwork, which is a common place for water to enter. • WATER PIPES - Ensure water pipes are properly lagged, particularly in older properties, especially in the loft. If you are going away keep the heating on low for a couple of hours during the night to avoid burst pipes. • WINDOWS AND EXTERNAL DOORS - Make sure windows and external doors close properly. Fitting inexpensive draught excluders can really help to reduce your heating bills. • VENTILATION - Check your ventilation - especially bricks that allow air to circulate below the floorboards. Use a coat hangar or screw driver to clear out the holes that can get blocked with leaves and other garden or road debris • REPAINT EXTERIOR PAINTWORK - Exposed walls and windowsills need particular attention as they bear the brunt of frost damage. • SERVICE YOUR BOILER – Get gas boilers checked by a Corgi registered heating engineer. www.corgi-gas.com • FLOODING - It’s worth knowing whether you are in an area which is prone to flooding. Check the Environment Agency website on www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call the floodline for advice on how to protect your property from flooding and what to do if you are affected is 0845 988 1188.
Copyright 2005 Federation of Master Builders. You can find more useful articles like this at: http://www.buildingarticles.co.uk.
Please be aware that information found in any article is the opinion of it's author. Before embarking on any project, it is your responsibility and in your own interest to check the viability of any advice given. Diytips4u.co.uk are not responsible for any consequences of what you may read on this website.