1 day Ago By [email protected] (Beth Tanner)
If you ignore these five home tasks this winter you could end up with some seriously expensive maintenance issues on your hands. That's according to expert Sarah Beeny who has warned Brits that ignoring the small home maintenance issues ahead of winter could lead to challenges in the future. The businesswoman and broadcaster explained that smaller issues may simply seem like ‘minor annoyances’ but the reality is that if they’re left unchecked, they may cause larger and more expensive problems.
She explained: “I’ve come across many situations where small issues snowballed into much bigger problems because they weren’t addressed in time. For example, something as simple as not clearing blocked gutters can lead to water overflowing down the exterior of the building, which eventually causes damp patches inside the house. “I’ve also seen cases where a small draught wasn’t dealt with, and over time, it caused noticeable heat loss, making the home much less comfortable and more expensive to heat – not to mention the negative environmental impact.
” There are five tasks that Sarah never forgets to do each winter - and she recommends that you do them too. The first of which is cleaning your gutters. She said: “Clearing your gutters is one of the most important – it helps prevent water damage.
Bleeding radiators is another quick job that ensures your heating system is running efficiently. And don’t forget to draught-proof windows and doors to keep the warmth in. If you have any exposed pipes either inside or outside, insulating them is a good idea to prevent them from freezing.
” Sarah added that these small steps can help to make your home comfortable during winter without costing too much. A survey by home assistance provider HomeServe found that 42 percent of homeowners put off fixing small issues around the house, with problems being avoided more commonly in winter than in summer. According to the results of the survey, which featured responses from 1,200 homeowners, blocked gutters, draughty doors or windows, blown light bulbs and toilets not flushing.
Sarah explained that most home maintenance tasks aren’t expensive and recommends that it’s vital to ‘stay on top of these tasks’ and adds that ‘the longer they’re left, the more expensive they could become’. She said: “Clear blocked gutters. This issue can lead to leaks, damp, and even structural damage.
Replace blown lightbulbs. Keeping a home well-lit is essential for safety. Bleed radiators.
This could be necessary if radiators are not heating properly. “Fix leaky taps. Replacing a worn washer or valve is often a quick job that can prevent further damage and help save money in the long run.
Seal draughty windows and doors. Self-adhesive strips can be added to windows and doors to help keep a home warm and avoid loss of heat.”.
