Spring to Summer Home Maintenance & Improvement Checklist

With the weather getting warmer and days getting brighter, Spring is the perfect time to tackle essential home maintenance and make your home more energy-efficient for the colder months ahead. Whether you take it on yourself or contact a professional, this step-by-step guide will help you stay ahead of potential issues and keep your home in its best shape year-round.

1. Check exterior walls for loose or missing pointing: Take a look at the joints between bricks to see if any pointing is loose or missing. If you find any issues, contact a builder to have it repaired.

2. Check doors and windows: ensure there are no gaps between doors and windows and window frames, and check the draught seals. If these are damaged, then heat can escape. You can fix these yourself or contact a handyperson to repair them.

3. Clean vents and grilles: Make sure your extractor fan vents and grilles aren’t clogged with dust or grease. A little cleaning here will keep everything running smoothly and keep the air circulating around your home fresh. Here’s a handy video which we hope will help.

4. Check your roof for missing or slipped tiles: Ensure that all the tiles on your roof are secure. If any tiles are missing or out of place, contact a roofer to repair them and prevent leaks.

5. Look for damp in the chimney: Inside, inspect your chimney breast for any damp patches. This may signal issues with the chimney’s pointing. If needed, contact a builder to repoint or handle it yourself.

6. Install a chimney balloon for unused fireplaces: A chimney balloon (around £20) can help keep the heat inside by reducing drafts, making your home more energy-efficient. It’s an easy and effective way to prevent warm air from escaping through an unused fireplace. Chimneys should always have a cowl to prevent rain, debris, and animals from entering. Does your chimney have one in place? Regular chimney sweeping is essential for safety and efficiency. Plan to have your chimney swept after spring, as nesting birds must not be disturbed during this time.

7. Have a look at your gutters and downpipes for any cracks or blockages: If you find any blockages such as leaves and debris, it’s best to remove blockages and fix cracks now to prevent water damage and avoid potential problems later on.

8. Check for drain blockages: Look over your outdoor drains for any blockages. Remove any debris to maintain the water’s flow.

9. Bleed your radiators and check boiler pressure: Bleed your radiators to keep them running smoothly, then check that your boiler pressure is between 1.0 and 2.0 bars for optimal performance.

10. Book your boiler service or heat pump service now: Don’t wait until winter, which is typically the busiest time of the year for boiler engineers. By booking your service in the spring/summer, you can ensure your system is ready to go when you need it most. Also insulate your pipework. It’s a simple task you can do yourself or contact a professional to do it for you. Proper insulation helps improve energy efficiency and prevent issues during the colder months.