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Regardless of whether you have recently purchased your first home or have been a property owner for a long time, it’s important to recognise how essential routine maintenance is.

Small issues can become bigger over time and can lead to more concerning issues further down the line.

Staying on top of maintenance will not only save you time and money but will help to maintain your property’s value, and in some cases, may even help to increase it.

Here are 3 maintenance tips to help keep your home in tip-top condition.

Have your boiler serviced regularly

The last thing you want, particularly during colder months, is your boiler packing in, so you must get it serviced regularly. Once a year should be adequate to make sure that it is running as it should be.

A gas safe engineer will inspect and test various parts of the boiler to deem it safe for use. Being without a functioning boiler in Winter won’t be pleasant, so it’s a good idea to have it serviced in late Summer/early Autumn.

Make sure your roof is in great shape

Your roof protects your home from the elements, so you must keep an eye on it and make sure it’s doing its job correctly. If you notice any missing roof tiles or slipped flashing, have these remedied as soon as you can.

When fascias and soffits are damaged, rotten, or need to be replaced, your home is exposed, which over time could be costly to fix. Although you may be tempted to go for the cheaper and quicker option of having them overcladded, that may not be the right decision.

According to Roofline Design, a UK based roofline specialist, overcladding is nothing more than a quick fix and could even make things worse. It can lead to reduced roof ventilation, which can ultimately contribute to damp, cracks, and rotting. Do it properly the first time, and you won’t regret it.

Look after your garden decking

It isn’t just the structure of your home that needs to be maintained – your garden is just as important. Decking can look amazing if correctly maintained, but if neglected, it can become discoloured, moss-ridden, and joist and decking wood may start to rot. All of these will contribute to making it look unsightly and could be costly to remedy if not given some care and attention at least once a year.

Spring is a good time to clean and treat your decking area so it looks good in time for summer. Power washing will ensure your deck remains slip-free and using a decking oil will help to replace the natural oils of the timber. If you want to add a bit of colour, staining is another option that will help preserve your decking, but be aware that it can peel and flake if not properly tended to.

Put the work in now, and when summer comes around you will have a fabulous garden seating area to relax in and enjoy.

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