NOW is a good time for homeowners to ‘health check’ their homes, according to the National House-Building Council (NHBC).

Make sure your home is in order

Whether your home is new or old, NHBC advises all homeowners to carry out a yearly review of the property, to keep everything in order and protect your investment. 

Items worth checking are:

Internal

Heating system: As the weather gets warmer, adjust central heating to a summer setting or switch off to save energy.  This is also a good time to bleed radiators, to get rid of air pockets, and to have your annual boiler service, to ensure the system is working to its best performance and safety.  Contact a Gas Safe registered installer to carry out an annual check now.

Smoke detectors: If run on batteries, these should be checked and replaced if necessary. All detectors should be replaced after ten years.

Home security: Check the locks on all doors and windows, to ensure if they are in full working order.

Plumbing: Dripping pipes and taps waste vast amounts of water and can also create significant internal damage.  It may be a simple repair such as replacing a washer for a new one, so check your system thoroughly and if necessary, contact a qualified plumber to make repairs.

External

Roofing: Look at your roof from the outside, to see if any tiles are cracked or have slipped; if so these will need replacing by a professional roofer.

Solar panels: Should be self cleaning, however to maintain efficiency, any debris that has accumulated should be removed if this can be done safely. (Roof mounted equipment is fragile and should be treated in accordance with manufacturers guidelines)

Guttering: Check for damage and clear away blockages that may have accumulated over the winter months.  Blockages can lead to water damage, so make sure guttering is cleared at least once a year.  For safety reasons, this should be carried out by a professional.

Woodwork: This needs preserving against weather conditions.  Timber windows and doors need repainting every three to five years; so make a painting plan to action in the drier summer months.

Garden fencing: This provides your home with security and privacy, so it is important to check garden fencing for any damage and maintain its good condition.

A quick home health check will identify areas that need attention and catch problems at an early stage. 

Carrying out regular maintenance ensures a home is kept in good condition, making it more pleasant to live in, more energy efficient and cheaper to run, and increasing its residual value.