Building Maintenance
Regular maintenance will help you keep your home in good shape.
Check buildings regularly for possible problems. Regular checks can help you to spot potential problems before they get too serious.
What you should check:
Outside
Walls
Look for cracks in brickwork, stonework and rendered walls such as pebble dash, as well as crumbling bricks or mortar. Major cracks and large areas of damaged wall need expert repair.
Make sure airbricks are kept clear of earth and leaves. Earth or paving should be at least six inches below floor level and should slope away from the house.
Doors and Windows
Look for missing mastic or cement seals around windows and doors.
Look for rot or corrosion, missing putty and flaking paint, particularly in window frames (gentle prodding with a knife blade or screwdriver). Wood repair may need skilled carpentry.
Chimneys
Look for broken chimney pots, cracked or worn brickwork, loose or missing pointing (the mortar between the bricks), loose flashings (the lead or zinc strips or cement sealing the joints between the chimney stack and the roof)
Roofs
Look for missing, slipped or broken tiles or slates, and damaged or torn coverings to flat roofs.
Gutters
Look for blockages (which you may be able to clear yourself), and cracks in the gutters.
Pipes
Check for leaks in pipes and hopper heads. Particularly check for holes and cracks behind pipes - these may not be very noticeable, but they can be a cause of damp walls inside the house. Deal with dripping overflow pipes.
Inside
Central Heating
Check radiators, release air if necessary. Clear out air grilles. Boilers should be serviced by specialists every summer.
Electrics
Check for damaged or loose cables. If fuses fail often or if plug tops feel hot, call in a qualified electrician. Arrange for your house wiring to be tested every five years.
The Roof Space
Look for signs of leaks through slates, tiles or roof lining (if there is one). Make sure that timbers are free from damp and woodworm; check that pipes and tanks are fully lagged. Check the loft insulation (at least four inches is desirable).
Floors
Check for undue springiness. This could mean rotting or weakened joists. Check skirtings for rot or woodworm.
Damp Patches
Patches of damp on walls or ceilings could have various causes.
Look for:
Leaking tanks, radiators, or pipes in the roof or floor spaces
Leaking rain water pipes and gutters, cracked, loose or missing pointing in the bricks outside.
Condensation do bathrooms and kitchens have good ventilation?
Rising Damp a low level tide mark may indicate a defective damp proof course, low level patches may mean that the damp course is covered by earth outside.
Windows and Outside Doors
Make sure they open and close properly. Check draught excluders and locks and catches.