Keeping your property well-maintained is important to protect your long-term investment and prevent disruption to your day-to-day life. While many people know that their property is overdue for a health check, it ends up on the back burner simply because of how busy life can be.
Of course, in the new year, everyone has that bit more motivation to get things done. To make things easier, we’ve put together a guide to giving your property a health check, so you have all the different areas to cover in one place.
Start with your boiler
Let’s start with that old familiar foe that’s known to cause problems in winter – your boiler. If you haven’t had your boiler serviced for a while, now is as good a time as any to get it checked over.
That’s especially true if it’s been causing you problems over the turn of the year. A proper inspection by a trained professional will identify what’s wrong, with repairs recommended (or potentially a replacement) to keep your property supplied with heating and hot water when it’s needed.
But it’s still worthwhile if your boiler seems to be running smoothly. From wearing parts to poor pressure, there are plenty of invisible issues with your boiler that could be a ticking time bomb, or just making it less efficient.
Having your boiler serviced in the new year is a good way to prevent issues throughout 2023 and beyond – and could even save you money on your energy bills over time.
Get your electrics checked
Electrics are another crucial part of any property that is easy to ignore. Your electrical installation is in continual activity, powering everything from your fridge to mobile phone chargers. That makes it a constant threat if anything is awry – with electric at fault for 53.4% of all accidental dwelling fires.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a legal requirement for landlords every five years. As a landlord, you’ll obviously have to keep up with that obligation. But as a homeowner, this can also provide a useful indication of how often your own electrics need checking. If your electrical installation hasn’t been inspected in the last five years, make it a priority in 2023.
Also known as a Periodic Inspection Check, an EICR will identify any degradation of your wiring, make sure past DIY modifications are safe and check for any damage to sockets or switches. Quick repairs can then be made, keeping your electrical installation safe for you and your family.
Onto the roof (not literally!)
Next, it’s onto the umbrella for your property – your roof. With winter in full swing and the weather at its worst, the start of the year is a great time to make sure your roof is in a good condition.
For one, water could be getting in without you realising it. Alternatively, high winds and heavy rain may have taken their toll on your roof, sowing seeds for problems further down the line.
There are some checks that you can do yourself before arranging a professional inspection:
- Inspect the top of walls, your ceilings and your loft or roof space for damp patches or visible leaks.
- Check your loft with the lights off during the daytime to look for any light getting through (if light can get through, so can water).
- Look up at your roof from ground level to look for any signs of damage, such as loose flashing, missing tiles or anything else that’s out of place.
Whatever you do, don’t get on your roof yourself. A qualified roofer will be able to access your roof safely to take a closer look. They can identify even the smallest issues, which can then be nipped in the bud with quick roof repairs before they become larger, more expensive problems to fix.
A professional roof inspection is recommended every 12 months, making the new year an ideal time to book one in.
Next are your gutters
There’s another vital feature of your property situated around the edge of your roof. Gutters are designed to catch water as it runs off the roof and guide it safely down your drains. In doing so, they stop it running down your walls or getting to the foundations of your property.
Put simply, gutters are a cheap way to prevent very expensive problems. But they’re often taken for granted. Over time, gutters can become blocked by moss, leaves and other debris. They can also crack or come loose if there’s too much pressure on them – usually because of such blockages.
When water leaks out of your gutters, it’s easy to think that it’s just heavy rain – or just not notice it at all. However, leaving it ignored could allow your gutters to get worse or cause other issues with your property.
With all that in mind, you should have your gutters regularly cleared and fully inspected as part of your new year’s health check. A professional contractor can make sure your entire guttering system is fully functional, so you don’t have to worry when the heavens open in 2023.
Finally, the walls
Last but not least are your walls. Start inside, looking for any signs of water ingress. You can then head outside, checking for any gaps or cracks in your pointing or render. Repointing or re-rendering is the best course of action if you find issues inside or outside, though it’s always best to get a professional opinion.
While you’re outside, you can also assess the general condition of your walls. Cracks in brickwork can be a bigger cause for concern, as they may be a sign of subsidence. However, smaller cracks are usually superficial. It’s also worth keeping an eye on any plant growth on your exterior walls, as they can worsen cracks as well as cause damp issues.
Protect your property in Wakefield
The new year is the perfect time for some much-needed maintenance on your property. With a wealth of experience in roofing and guttering, DPR Roofing can help you tick off some of the most important parts of your 2023 health check.
Our experienced team will inspect your property and recommend the best course of action for your roof and gutters, as well as provide long-lasting repairs or replacements as necessary. To book an inspection, call us on 01924 255 677 or email [email protected].