About this time, every year, the advice is given out to all property owners to conduct a timely house health check up as the first signs of autumn appear. Sadly, all too often the sensible words of advice are not always heeded and inevitably, another hard winter sees the depressing list of statistics of people overcome by burst water pipes, blocked radiators, overflowing gutters, falling slates and detached aerials.
Better safe than sorry – and soaring house insurance premium renewals! Now really is the time to prevent a disaster waiting to happen!
The ideal inspection of your property should be twice year, once in the Autumn for accident prevention, and once in the Spring, to repair any accident damage – with an increased list of items to check each time. Just by taking a small amount of time to carrying out a little regular maintenance, you will avoid unnecessary problems and save potentially untold amounts of money.
If you’re not sure about carrying these checks out, then AbleSkills offers short Handyman courses ,City & Guilds Multiskills courses and even DIY courses, which can give you practical advice on electrics, plumbing, heating and decorating issues.
Why not make a note to do that check NOW, so you can put anything right which will prevent suffering untold aggravation and misery during the winter.
The following checklist will help to ensure you do not miss out on examining the most important items.
Exterior Checks – mostly a ground level check is sufficient to detect some sign of a problem.
• Windows and doors – lightly oil hinges and locks.
• Gates – are they closing and latching securely with signs of stiff or sticking hinges?
• Airbricks – are they clear ?
• Building ground level – has it built up anywhere bridging the damp proof course or blocking an air brick ?
• TV aerials and masts – do they still look secured and well attached ?
• Cables from any TV aerials and masts – are they all secured fast to the wall ?
• Paths and patios etc for any build up of moss or weeds – if they need cleaning, use a pressure washer.
• Water dripping from overflows.
• Woodwork around the garden (gates, fences, sheds etc) – is anything loose (fence panels etc) or showing signs of rot.
(especially check each fence post and the rails), does anything need a coat or paint or preservative?
• Gutters –check and clear leaves, twigs, silt, along pipes , junctions, down pipe openings and grills.
• Drainpipe grills – clear any and all obstruction in the form of leaves, silt, gravel, twigs ..etc
Interior checks – you must call a professional qualified plumber or a GasSafe card carrying gas fitter to carry out the checks below:
• Radiators –fully operational and responsive – need air bleeding or blockage clearing ?
• Boiler – correctly programmed and working.
• Thermostats – correctly programmed and working.
• Water Tank & Pipework – fully and securely insulated throughout – check for loose lagging.
• Dripping taps in and outside of the house – it is easy to become used to these but they do need to be rectified.