Easy Maintenance of the Home

You should treat your home like a car - look after it carefully and make sure you service it regularly. Here are some tips to help you keep your home in peak condition.

Windows

Once a year, clean and lightly oil window latches, catches and hinges. Check for damaged paintwork, putty or beading and use mastic sealant (available from any DIY store) to fill gaps around the frame inside and out. If your sash windows are rattling fitting one of the new special, cam-shaped catches will usually cure the problem. If the bead is not close enough to the lower sash, you'll find the window will rattle. You can prize it away and nail it closer to the sash, but remember to check the window catch works properly. If necessary, renew the sash cords on sash windows and check the draught proofing is in good condition. You should paint all window frames every two years in spring or summer - start early in the day to give the paint time to dry. Place masking tape around the window pane to keep the glass clear of paint.

Doors

Once a year, oil door hinges, locks, latches, bolts and doorknobs. Tighten any loose screws on hinges and doorknobs. Attend to any damaged paintwork. Repainting external wooden doors every two years will protect them from rot and the elements. On glazed doors, check the beading or putty. If you have wooden doors, rub in some teak oil and use a mastic sealant (available from any DIY store) to fill any gaps between the frame and wall it attaches to sinks.

To keep water draining efficiently from the basin or sink, pour a little caustic soda or proprietary cleaner down the drain once a year. If the drain is blocked, check the waste pipe under the drain. It's shaped like a bottle or a U-bend and can be unscrewed (place a bowl or bucket beneath it to catch any water) to be cleaned out.

Dripping Tap

A dripping tap is a nuisance and a waste of water. Renew the washers on a dripping tap. If a new washer fails to stop the dripping this usually means the valve seat inside the tap has worn. A simple washer and seater set from the local DIY store will cure the problem.

Health Checks

Regular health checks help your home. In spring check for signs of winter storm damage, damp patches, cracks or dripping overflows. In the autumn, check the home is ready for the winter ahead. Never attempt a repair you cannot safely and effectively do yourself. If in doubt, call an expert.

A stitch in time

Check for small tears, missing buttons, broken springs or damaged webbing on furnishings and upholstery. Minor damage can easily be repaired with fabric adhesive or a needle and thread. Left to deteriorate however, the damage could turn into major expense.

Flues and fires

The chimneys on a solid fuel or a wood-burning stove should be cleaned in late summer/early autumn each year. A handful of salt thrown on a wood-burning fire once every few weeks will reduce the build-up of tar in a chimney. Clean marble and tile surround fireplaces with warm soapy water and a soft cloth or brush. Wax and polish wooden fire surrounds, building the wax protection up in thin layers.

Cracking Up

Keeping on top of cracks that appear in walls and ceilings is a good idea. These are easily repaired with the many fillers available from the DIY store, use that tester paint you've kept to touch up the area once dry. For major cracks, call in the experts.

Gutters and down pipes

It is a good idea to check gutters, down pipes and gullies once a year, ideally in the autumn, as leaves can cause blockages. Lift the grid cover on gullies and clear out any build-up of silt or leaves. If you can reach the gutters, clear out any accumulated moss or other debris. Repair or replace any broken or damaged down pipes - they can cause damp.

Paths and driveways

Clear paths, drives and parking spaces of weeds. A gravel path benefits from raking over once in a while and being topped with fresh gravel once a year in spring or autumn. Treat moss and algae, which can make the path slippery in the wet, with a watering can of diluted disinfectant.