Winter-proof your property: Outside

Property maintenance is essential all-year round, but in the winter harsh weather conditions can really take their toll on a building. Therefore it’s essential to ensure you’re taking the right precautions to protect your investment. In the first of two blogs on winter-proofing your property we’re sharing how to care for the areas on the outside of your property.

Roof inspection and roof repairs
A roof inspection is a must have when it comes to winter-proofing your property. It is essential to identify any loose or missing roof tiles which may allow water to seep in, or moss that retains moisture and can cause water damage. By ensuring that the roof is inspected it allows any necessary repairs to be carried out before serious structural damage takes place. After all, replacing tiles is much more cost-effective than replacing rotting roof timbers once the damage has been done.

Clearing gutters
Overflowing gutters are a well known side effect of British winter weather, and can cause a range of property issues if not dealt with properly. To effectively clean gutters any leaves and debris will need to be removed (whether by hand or by a hose). This will avoid any water overflowing, and prevent the buildup of snow and ice in the gutters once colder weather hits.

Signs of potential leaks and structural damage
If you are a landlord you are legally responsible for repairing the structure and exterior of a property. Even as a property management company it is in your best interests to ensure properties are structurally safe and damp is prevented. (Click here to read our blog in protecting your property from structural damage).

Structurally, areas such as cracks in outer walls will always set alarm-bells ringing and should always be looked at by a professional. Peeling paint on the other hand may simply be attributed to age or poor quality craftsmanship and can often be overlooked. However, any signs of peeling or blistering paint can be a sign that the existing paint film is failing to protect the building, and if left undealt with can lead to deterioration and costly future repairs.

Prevention is better than cure…
Although tenants may keep you informed of, damp patches, leaks they’ve spotted or overflowing gutters a number of these issues are often not noticed until the damage is already done. GMC are able to provide proactive property inspections across the UK for both tenanted and untenanted properties. Helping to ensure that any issues are identified and resolved with minimum hassle. To request a property inspection quote please call 01903 721020 or email info@genmaint.co.uk.