Brits told to check one key part of their home this weekend
With the season’s rainy and blustery days fast approaching, Brits are being urged to prioritise one essential home check this weekend.
Expert, Paul Kershaw from Tradefix Direct, warned that blocked gutters are a leading cause of costly water damage to homes during the winter months, when increased rainfall and storms put extra pressure on drainage systems.
As part of an autumn home maintenance checklist, Kershaw advised homeowners to inspect their gutters for debris, such as fallen leaves and twigs, which are common during the autumn season.
Regular gutter cleaning can prevent potential flooding, leaks, and even foundation damage to properties.
Kershaw shared a list of do’s and don’ts for carrying out this essential task, as well as other key home maintenance tips to get ahead of winter weather risks.
“Gutters play a crucial role in keeping rainwater directed away from your home,” said Kershaw.
“Blocked gutters can lead to water seeping into walls, roofs, and foundations, which can become a nightmare when the winter storms hit.
“By taking an hour or so this weekend to check and clean out your gutters, you could be saving yourself from expensive repairs down the line.”
In other advice, he also recommended tasks you should carry out to maintain the upkeep of your home before winter approaches.
Do not store paint in your shed
If your paint is exposed to cold temperatures, this can cause the paint to curdle or dry out, rendering it unusable.
Instead, keep your paint stored indoors, in an area such as a utility room or a cupboard, and away from any sources of extreme heat, such as radiators.
Do store tools unprotected in the garage
Garages are a common place to store tools but once the weather becomes colder, this can impact the condition of your tools, causing them to go brittle or crack.
It’s important to store your tools correctly, in a dry, dust-free toolbox, rather than leaving them exposed to the elements in the likes of a cardboard box or plastic bag.
Do not leave any loose or damaged tiles on your roof
Inspect your roof for any missing tiles, checking your grounds for any remnants of loose tiles falling.
This can be achieved without the need to get on your roof, by using the naked eye, binoculars or navigating a drone.
Do fix draughty windows
Autumn is a great time to address those draughty windows to improve your energy efficiency, and keep costs down as much as possible during the winter months.
Draught stoppers are a simple and inexpensive way of keeping the cold out and are placed on the bottom of your windows.
Do bleed your radiators
Bleeding a radiator is the process of removing air from your radiator to make your heating system more efficient.
As air rises in your radiator, this displaces the water so that it can only reach about halfway up the system.
Air cannot be heated up in the same way as water, which may explain cold spots at the top of your radiator.
As the radiator is not emitting heat to its full capacity, you may notice your room becoming cooler.
