WHAT TO DO TO YOUR HOME FOR SPRING

Check your roofing and guttering 

Winter may have taken its toll on your roof, causing holes, leaks or broken tiles. Julian Taylor, from Taylor Roofing Contractors Ltd in Wiltshire says: “The best thing to do is regularly check your roof, look at the tiling, cement work, verges and chimney.” Your guttering is just as important and can easily be effected by ice, snow and excess water, so check you have no blockages or leaks. “If water in your gutter isn’t running freely it can overflow and cause serious damp problems,” explains Lyn Lewis, from G. Lewis Roofing in Middlesex.

External painting and maintenance 

Spruce up the exterior of your home by repainting your weather-weary walls, but first, check that they don’t have any cracks in them. Painting will also protect your home from damp – don’t forget that window frames can also be transformed with a lick of paint or gloss. “Painting your front door can also make a big difference to your home,” says Kevin Westhead, from Oxford Decorating Ltd.

Check your plumbing

Over winter your pipes and plumbing may have suffered frost damage, particularly if they haven’t been lagged. Other common plumbing problems such as blocked pipes, leaks or dripping taps may not seem immediately pressing, but it’s best to get them repaired as soon as possible to avoid further damage. Hire a qualified plumber to deal with all your plumbing problems.

Sort out your boiler and insulation

Spring is the perfect time to make your home more energy efficient; this will also help you save money on fuel bills. The Energy Saving Trust (EST) recommends giving your windows a good clean to help heat and light your home naturally as well as using energy saving light bulbs. Cut down your heating bills by switching your boiler to summer mode and installing proper heating controls. Loft insulation will keep your home cool in summer as well as warm in winter. In fact, the EST says that you could save as much as £150 a year in fuel bills by adding insulation.

Extend or convert your property 

If your home is starting to feel cramped or you’re looking for a change without having to move completely, consider a home extension or conversion. Take advantage of neglected areas of your house and convert your garage, loft or basement into usable space. A new one or two storey extension will also provide with that vital extra room and inject new life into your property.

Get your garden in good shape

Check that your fencing, shed or greenhouse hasn’t been damaged during the winter and clear the garden of debris. You may find that outdoor furniture and fittings are covered in mould or mildew from the wet conditions, these can be easily cleaned with a soap and water mixture. Garden paths or driveways may also have come under attack from moss or algae, which is simple to remove too. Spring is a good time to repaint or stain outdoor furniture to protect it from further weather damage and to start composting.

Install garden features 

By the time spring arrives we’re all sick of freezing weather and can’t wait for sunshine; so why not start planning how you’re going to spend those warm evenings in your garden? Creating a central outdoor dining or relaxing area is a great idea; consider installing decking or a patio to provide the perfect spot.

Spring clean

Finally, the good old fashioned spring clean is a must. De-clutter to begin with, recycling where possible. Dust thoroughly, taking care to clean blinds, windows and sills as well as curtains. This is a good time of year to also take apart and clean your smoke detector. While you’re at it, change the batteries – according to the Fire and Rescue Service, an average of 270 people without smoke alarms die in house fires each year. When cleaning, check for signs of damp which might have set in over winter; “Penetrating and rising damp are common household problems,” says James Allen, of Kenwood Plc.

I bid adieu my dear Sirs and Madams!