Give Your Home A "Winter Health Check"
03/11/05
As the darkness draws in earlier now the clocks have gone back and the weather shows signs of turning colder it¿s important to remember to give your home a "winter health check". New homes not only come with new walls, fittings and windows but also with new gardens, new roofs and new drains which may need a little extra attention at this time of year.
NHBC is the UK's leading warranty provider for new homes, and its ten-year Buildmark cover gives protection for problems which may occur in new homes. While the Buildmark is there if something goes wrong, NHBC is offering the following advice to homeowners to help with those outside jobs before the winter weather arrives:
It¿s good to clean your gutters at least once a year of any leaves and debris to prevent blockages and silting up - be careful when placing ladders against plastic gutters or pipework. Where possible use a ladder with an extension bracket.
Chimneys should be swept at least once a year to prevent chimney fires and any risk of carbon monoxide poisoning - get them cleaned now and the family should be able to curl up safely in front of the fire and sleep off that Christmas lunch.
Tiles on sloping roofs are brittle and can easily crack under a person¿s weight - anyone who has to go on the roof for any work should always use a roof ladder.
Flat roofs are not designed to take heavy loads, do not allow window cleaners or decorators to use the roof for access without protecting the surface. Stone chippings on the roof are there to protect the felt from strong sunlight so don¿t remove them.
Outside woodwork needs preserving against weather conditions. Regularly repainting or preserving the wood will help to protect it. The first repainting will probably be needed after two years and thereafter that it should only need to be done every four to five years. This may vary if you live near the sea or in a more extreme environment.
Manholes give access to the drains - do not obstruct them or cover them with soil as you may need to get access to them quickly.
Avoid piling up soil and leaves against outside walls as it may cover the damp course and could encourage damp penetration. If you are not sure where your damp course is ask your builder. Ideally keep soil and paving 150mm below the damp course.
Ask your solicitor whether you own any fence or wall bordering your property and who should maintain it.
Planting trees and shrubs can make your garden more attractive, especially at this time of year, but be careful. Allow enough room for trunks and large roots to grow safely, especially if you are planting near sheds, drains or a neighbour¿s house.
Be aware that tree branches hanging over your roof may be a potential problem, especially in icy and windy conditions. If you can reach them safely, trim them as best you can away from the house.
Notes to Editors: NHBC is the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK. It was established nearly 70 years ago as a non-profit distributing company. NHBC's primary purpose is to help raise standards in the new house-building industry and provide consumer protection for new house buyers.
NHBC's ten-year 'Buildmark' warranty covers 85 % of homes built in the UK and has protected more than 6 million homes.
NHBC helps raise standards by:
registering builders who agree to comply with NHBC's Rules and Standards
setting and maintaining construction standards for new homes
inspecting at key stages of construction
providing 'Buildmark,' the most comprehensive warranty and insurance cover for homes in the UK
offering building control services in England and Wales
providing a range of services, including technical information, training, health and safety, engineering and energy rating services for new homes and housing-related sectors
Contact: Satvinder Sahota - 01494-735785
E-Mail: ssahota@nhbc.co.uk
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