With the spring sunshine trying its best to push through the clouds, many people are giving some thought to brushing away the winter cobwebs and preparing their homes for the new season. As well as giving your property a good spring clean, you might be wondering what else you should be focusing on now that winter’s on its way out.
Both your home and garden can benefit from maintenance at this time of year – keep reading to discover some of the areas that may be in need of attention as spring approaches.
The roof
It wasn’t long ago that the wind was roaring through the trees, leaving many homes and gardens in the UK with a degree of damage. If you’ve noticed the odd roof tile on the ground near your property over the past few months, or even if you haven’t, it could be a wise move to have a good look at your roof.
Strong winds and storms can both be responsible for breaking and even dismounting tiles, which in turn could result in leaks or other damage to your property. Stand well back from your home and assess your roof, looking out for any gaps. Also, check for moss growth and any other defects that may be present. If you spot damage, it might be time to call in a professional, who will be trained to work at height and can assess your roof from a closer vantage point.
Gutters
After a long, wet winter, gutters frequently become logged with dead leaves and other debris that has blown in on the wind. A buildup of leaves and moss can restrict water flow, and could cause your gutters to spill over or collapse completely.
Spend some time checking all your gutters and removing any debris to ensure water can travel along them. You should also check for any damage to the gutters themselves, as you won’t want them to leak. Pouring some water into them and watching the flow should alert you to any damaged areas of the gutter that you can then replace or patch.
The garden
With the sun finally showing itself, you might be keen to get outdoors and start making your garden look presentable again. Pick up any litter that’s blown in during the strong winds, and check gates and fences to ensure they’ve not been damaged by the weather. Such structures may have been weakened or blown off their hinges during wintry gales. You could also rake over your lawn to remove leaves, and consider composting the grass to prepare it for the warmer weather.
Pipes
If you’ve got external pipework, this is another area you should check over this spring. Freezing weather can cause damage or even result in pipes bursting, so cast your eyes over the external pipework in your garden and running down your property.
You can also run a check on the pipes inside your home, which is especially worth carrying out if you’ve noticed an unprecedented rise in your water bills or lower pressure from your shower or taps. Turn off all taps then check your water meter. If the device is registering that water is still being used, or the dial is turning, this could indicate a leak, in which case you should get in touch with plumbers in your area.