Moving Home
Moving home is an exciting experience. But it can be a lengthy process too from putting your home on the market right through to settling in and getting it just the way you want it. Find out what simple things you can do to make a big difference to your home. Our practical advice can help you make the whole moving process much easier and less stressful. Click here to notify a change of address.
Notification
Firstly you will need to inform us or your broker of the change of address. We will then issue out revised documentation with your new address.
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. 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 and 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.
Outside Walls
What type of walls does your home have? You can protect brick,
stone or plaster walls with masonry paint, a coat of cement 'render',
or by tiles, slates or boards fixed to the battens, nailed to the
wall. Your local DIY centre should be able to give you specific
advice.
Most walls give very little trouble, but check them regularly and
tackle any small problem patches before they get any worse. Pointing
(the mortar used to hold the bricks or stones together) can be raked
out and replaced. Clear away all loose material and replace with
a recommended filler. If any of your outside walls bear the brunt
of the weather, treat them with two coats of microporous weatherproofer
- this will help cure any damp problems.
Roofs and Chimneys
A sound roof is like a good hat - it keeps the house warm and well protected. But even the best roofs may need renovating at some time. Here are some things to look out for. Check that the slates and tiles are still in neat lines. A slipped or broken tile will let in rain and could come loose in a storm and cause more damage. Also, is the ridge at the apex of the roof straight and true? And is the flashing - pieces of metal around the base of chimneys and anywhere else roof surfaces meet - in good condition? Older roofs sometimes lack roofing felt, a waterproof material between the roof covering and the roof battens. Roofing felt can only be installed when the roof has been stripped. If you notice any problems with your roof, fix them sooner rather than later - it will cost you less in the long run. But remember, a roof is the most dangerous place to work in the home. It's safer to call in the experts.
Damp
Damp walls, windows, floors or roofs are the curse of the climate
- but you only need to trace the source to come up with a cure.
On an inside wall, dampness shows up as a dark mould or discoloured
patches of decoration. Outside, the damp may show as a dark stain
which sometimes attracts green algae and mosses.
There are a number of things which can cause damp to come in from
outside, including:
- a dripping overflow pipe
- blocked or broken gutters or downpipes
- a damaged wall, roof or chimney
- a defective or non-existent damp-proof course
- rainwater unable to drain away from around the house