If you have recently become a homeowner for the first time, then congratulations are in order! You’ve taken on a great responsibility, and you might already be wondering what on earth you’ve got yourself into. There’s no landlord to call on when the heating goes out, or one of the appliances stops working. You are truly on your own with it all and you need to find the money quickly when something goes wrong with your property. We give you the top ten problems you may have, and ways to solve them:
- Overflowing gutters – This is the most common problem house owners have. The water cascades over the guttering to cause flooding and damp on the walls of your house. Have a gutter cleaning service done regularly to avoid this. Rising damp can be incredibly destructive, and flooded ground could be just as bad.
- Peeling Paint – The paint outside your home is damaged by sun, wind, cold and rain. Sand the surface down thoroughly before you start. Choose a good quality outdoor paint, and cover surfaces with old rags that you don’t want to get paint speckled.
- Moldy deck or patio – A good power washer will bring these surfaces back to life and make them safe again. If you leave them, you may slip and hurt yourself. The surface may crack and peel, and you could have a repair bill on your hands.
- Leaky pipes – Internal water damage can cause untold problems. Eventually, the air in your home will be so damp that mold spores could make you very ill. Any tiny little drip can cause big problems. Find the source of the problem and tape it temporarily. If you can turn the mains off to tighten the joint, do so, or call in a plumber to help.
- Boiler stops working – In winter, this is a big problem so make sure you have a backup heater on a different system. Some companies offer insurance to come out and fix your boiler if it breaks down. Always call in the professionals. Boilers are too dangerous to tackle if you are not qualified.
- Insect infestation – The stuff of nightmares, but easily fixed with the pest controller. Find out where they are coming from and see if you can seal the gaps.
- Weeds – A lawn full of weeds is no fun. If there are just a few, pull them out by hand. If there are a lot, it may be time to replace your lawn. Consult your gardener.
- Broken window – If your window is damaged, water can get in. It is important to replace the window quickly. Board it up for safety and security then call the window company in.
- Clogged toilet – If the water doesn’t go down, you need to find the clog. Try a plunger or check your drains. Call out a drain specialist if the problem is outside the house.
- Loose or missing roof tile – If water gets in your home it can cause a lot of damage. Get a tiler out to replace the tile urgently.
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