Winter is rarely kind to our houses and gardens. Cold temperatures, rainstorms, overnight frosts and strong winds all take their toll and often leave us with a list of home repairs to tackle when spring finally emerges. While some jobs are easy to spot, some require a little more attention so the damage doesn’t escalate and leads to more expense. Find out from ASK Building & Repairs what the best home repair jobs are to undertake in Spring.
What are the best home repair jobs?
There will always be aspects of your home that need maintaining, but the longer days and lighter evenings make spring the perfect time to fix issues that have been neglected over winter and help to get it to summer ready.
Check your roof for damage
Our roofs are in the firing line regarding bad weather, so once the winter months are behind us, having them checked is a good idea to identify any repair work needed. In some cases, you might notice some tiles missing or the flashing around your chimney has come loose. But there might be some damage that isn’t quite so obvious, which could still cause leaks if it continues to be neglected. While it can be tempting to inspect your roof yourself, it’s a job that’s best left to the professionals who will be used to working at height and have the experience to handle and replace any missing tiles. Attempting the repair work yourself is dangerous, but you could cause more damage and dislodge other tiles.
Give your gutters a clean
Because they’re above eye level, our gutters often get forgotten, but they mustn’t be ignored altogether. Over the autumn months, they often become blocked with leaves, mud and other debris, which can stop them from draining correctly and lead to dampness and mould. From an aesthetic point of view, gutters clogged with grime aren’t a pretty sight and could mark the facias on your roof. Even if you’ve had your gutters cleaned during the winter, the weather conditions they’re exposed to often causes the problems to resurface, so it’s worth getting them looked at to remove any remaining sludge that could cause them to clog up and overflow.
Make plans for the garden
As a rule, we don’t spend much time in our gardens over winter, so they don’t tend to look their best by the time spring comes around. Mowing the lawn, replanting flowers and tidying the hedges are all jobs that can be done during the lighter evenings, along with dusting down the patio furniture, so it’s ready to use. Spring is also the perfect time to plan if you want to change your garden by adding decking, paving slabs or a new patio. Because landscape gardeners often get booked up in advance, it’s wise to book the work early so you can enjoy the changes you’ve made when the weather warms up.
Repaint and home repair jobs like fences
Continuing with the theme of gardens, if your fence has cracked or panels have become loose over winter, you might need to commission some repair work to make it more secure. Harsh weather conditions such as rain, sleet and strong winds can all impact the strongest fences and mean they need a bit of TLC in the springtime. Sometimes, repainting is enough to recondition your fence and give it a makeover. Still, there will be occasions when it needs fixing by professionals who can replace broken posts and panels to certify its safety.
Turn off the heating and check on the plumbing
Although the increased cost of living has meant many of us have had the heating on less than normal, when the thermostat is down or turned off completely, it’s an excellent opportunity to address any plumbing issues. Bleeding your radiators, unclogging drainpipes or investigating any slow water leaks are all jobs worth ticking off your list before they begin to present problems or cause damage to your property. It’s also worth noting that the demand for plumbers is less in spring compared to the winter months, so if you do need any work done, the good news is that it will be easier to get it sorted quickly before costs escalate further.
Paint the outside of your house
Although you can paint outside your home at any time during the year, it’s a job that best lends itself to mild weather. Cold temperatures can cause fresh paint to grow mildew or stain due to excess moisture, and hot weather can lead it to dry too quickly, then blister and crack. The spring climate provides the perfect middle ground to freshen up your house’s exterior because the heat isn’t too extreme, and frosts should be over and done with. Giving your paintwork a revamp will also mean your home looks its best in time for the summer months when you’re most likely to spend time outside and appreciate the exterior of your house.
Want some advice on home repair jobs?
If you’d like some advice on any of the maintenance tasks around your home and garden, ASK Building & Repairs are happy to help. We can look at your property if you’d like a no-obligation quote or give our professional opinion if you’re unsure whether you need the repair work done. You can contact us by calling 07773 019 410 or sending an email to info@askbuildingandrepairs.co.uk.