As the weather takes a turn for the worse and the nights draw in, follow our simple advice for home maintenance during National Maintenance Week.
This year, National Maintenance Week will be running from the 18th to the 25th of November. The campaign, run by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, aims to raise awareness of the importance of carrying out regular home maintenance, whether you are a home-owner, tenant, or landlord.
Clearing your gutters to prevent damp is an important part of home maintenance.
Damp
SPAB have chosen to make damp the focus of this year’s National Maintenance Week. As winter draws in, damp caused by blocked gutters or leaking roofs is a common cause for concern. It can be highly damaging to a building, and can cause serious health problems for residents.
It can also have a bad effect on how well a building retains heat – preventing damp through proper maintenance can benefit the environment, as well as your bank balance.
If they are kept dry and properly maintained, traditional buildings can remain usable for centuries. Check roofs for slipped or broken tiles and identify blocked gutters and downpipes through leaky joints or stained masonry.
At this time of year gutters should be cleared of plants, leaves and silt, and ground-level drains should also be cleared of any blockages.
Advice
For more advice on home maintenance, you can consult our short guide, Maintaining Your Home. It contains advice on damp-proofing and drain maintenance for those who own, occupy or work with traditional and historic buildings.
It also contains a range of advice on other aspects of buildings maintenance, from maximising energy efficiency to sourcing materials for repairs.
Download the free maintaining your home guide.
