5 Important Property Maintenance Recommendations For Keeping Your Home In Excellent Condition.

Like any significant investment you need to put aside time frequently to keep your house in the best condition possible and make sure it retains its value.

Here are five tips to keep your house in the finest condition:

1) Inspect the roof:

One of the first areas to see damage on a house is the roof. You need to inspect your roof at regular intervals, as problems here can go overlooked until they become a big predicament (and you get leaks). Do a visual investigation for slipped, cracked or badly damaged tiles. Look at the pointing and get someone in if this is in a bad condition. You should clear away moss from tiles if it's starting to take charge. And give gutters a good clean out regularly, removing all leaves and weeds before they can clog anything up.

If your guttering has had problems that can't seem to be fixed then it may be time for some replacement guttering This might include links, sagging or cracks that do not seem to disappear with your cleaning and repair work.

If you want to go the DIY route then there are a number of gutters available on the market to buy at DIY stores. You can choose to get PVC-U guttering or cast iron gutters though you should keep in view that cast iron gutters are heavier and as a result more demanding to install yourself.

If you cannot get access to your roof, employ a reputable gutter replacement small business to do 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) Examine for damp:

Always check your walls for damp. It's a serious obstacle that you must manage straight away if you find 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 because of pitiful maintenance. The roof, walls, floors, windows and doors and pipe work in and outside the house, are all likely causes of damp. Normally a damp patch inside the home is simply identified as being connected to a problem outside the house.

A damp patch at the top of a chimney breast will indicate the probable cause is a leak through the chimney stack. A wet patch at the top of a wall could possibly be due to a leaking gutter outside which will need repairing or replacing

3) Check Everywhere water goes:

Ensure the cement mortar around waste pipes is in a good state and check water down pipes for splits or leaky joints. If there is anything growing on your walls such as climbing roses or ivy, either remove it or keep a very close eye. These plants can crack brickwork and hold moisture in the wall.

4) Keep woodwork in good condition:

All wooden window and door frames ought to 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 crop up:

Inside your home examine your plumbing pipework and waste pipes for joint leaks. Now and again clear away 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.