Period Homes: 5 Ways To Get Your Home Ready For Summer

Winter can take its toll on the condition of your home’s exterior – long periods of wet weather, sub-zero temperatures and wind can all play a part. So, now spring is here, it’s well worth spending a little time checking that there’s no damage that needs repairing. Investing time now can save you money in the longer term, as well as helping preserving your prized original features for longer.

To help focus your efforts, we’ve put together a checklist of the exterior features that are worth looking over – starting from the top down. Not only will repairs and restorations protect your home from further damage but they will also ensure your property looks its best.

1. Tiles and slates

Checking your roof yourself may not be possible due to safety issues. But if you know you’ve lost a slate or tile, it’s a good idea to call in a roofing company get repairs done swiftly to prevent water ingress causing damage to your home. While they’re up there, think about asking them to check the condition of your chimney and any flashing – preventative work can protect you from costly bills in the future.

2. Guttering and downpipes

Cleaning leaves, moss and debris from gutters will prevent them from overflowing. This can help mitigate damage to your brickwork, render and windows and doors. Gutters and downpipes can also become loose in high winds, so it’s worth checking that they are still secure so they direct water into the correct drains, rather than down the side of your house.

3. Timber windows and doors

Gently probing the wooden frames and sills of your sash or casement windows and doors can reveal areas of soft wood, which can indicate rot or damage from woodworm. If you’re not sure, it’s best to call in an expert, like Ventrolla, to check the extent of the damage. It might be that new wood can be spliced in, rather than full replacement windows being needed. If you spot flaking or cracked paintwork, it’s a sensible idea to plan in time to re-paint frames, too – this can protect timber from water damage.

4. Plumbing and drains

Check the condition of outdoor taps. If they’re dripping, this can have a detrimental effect on paving or brickwork. Freezing conditions can create cracks in pipes, too, and water damage can have a catastrophic effect on homes. While you’re working at ground level, check your drains are clear of leaves and debris, so you have the peace of mind that they won’t overflow into your garden.

5. Paths, decks and driveways

The wet weather in winter is the perfect environment for moss and green algae to grow on paving, patios and driveways. This will make it slippery underfoot as well as it looking unsightly. Power washing isn’t suitable for all types of paving, but scrubbing and treating the area can remove the problem and prevent it from happening again.

Home improvements for period homes

If you’d like to ask us a question about improving ventilation with timber window repairs, or book a survey, please make an enquiry today.