Four Home Maintenance Tasks You Might Be Overlooking

As homeowners, it’s important that we take on seasonal maintenance tasks to keep the house safe and in good condition. And most of us do tend to stay on top of the important jobs like mowing the lawn, cleaning the windows and servicing the boiler. 

But even when we’re organised and have a maintenance routine in place, there are often tasks we overlook. This is because there are parts of our home that aren’t easy to see, so it’s easy to forget they need attention too. But this can cause bigger problems and in some cases it can be dangerous. So, to stop you falling into this trap, here’s four frequently overlooked jobs that you should add to your maintenance list. 

Maintaining TV aerials and dishes

Have you got an aerial or satellite dish on your wall or roof? Most of us do. But few of us give them any thought – until something goes wrong that is. Neglected aerials and dishes are not just an eyesore, they can also be hazardous. The metal fixings can rust over time, leaving them loose and as aerials and dishes corrode, they’re less likely to work.

But it’s not just about the condition of the aerial or dish you’re currently using. Often, we upgrade or renew them without taking the old equipment down. Which means some aerials and dishes can go unchecked for decades. 

Old aerials and dishes that you no longer use should be removed. You can usually get this done for less than £100 and if they’re in poor condition, this is definitely a good idea. Rusty metal can leave stains on your walls and loose fittings are dangerous, especially in stormy weather. They could end up damaging your home or worse, hitting someone below. 

As we live in the digital age, you might think you can simply remove all of your aerials. But if you watch terrestrial TV channels live through Freeview, then you’ll still need one. Aerials tend to need replacing every 10 to 20 years. If you need a new aerial, an outdoor, wideband aerial is recommended. However, an indoor aerial will work fine, so long as you live close to a transmitter. It costs between £50 and £150 to install an aerial. 

Cleaning your windows

Cleaning your windows is another task we often overlook. And right now you’re probably feeling smug if you have a window cleaner or regularly wash them yourself. But that’s the outside. It’s easy to forget that the inside of your windows need cleaning too, as dust, dirt and smudges can accumulate quite quickly. For a comprehensive clean that tackles both interior and exterior surfaces, consider professional services such as Katy window cleaning & pressure washing, to ensure every inch of your windows and frames are spotless and well-maintained. 

And that’s not all. When did you last open your windows and clean around the edges of your frames? Debris and insects can easily collect in the grooves. Plus, the window’s seals and locking mechanisms are here, so you need to keep the frames in good condition.

If you find any of the metal mechanisms sticking, use a lubricant to get them moving again. Most window companies will recommend you use a machine oil rather than a solvent-based lubricant, to help protect the parts. Finally, it’s also worth vacuuming and wiping over the trickle vents to ensure air can flow through.

Gutter clearing

I think we can all admit that it’s very difficult to see into your gutters. But because of that, we can easily miss problems. And the most common problem comes from dirt and debris blocking them. Leave gutters long enough and you’ll get grass, moss and weeds growing in there. So, not only will they stop being able to handle rainwater but they’ll start to sag and warp as the weight of soil and vegetation builds up. The result of this is that water starts to find other places to go, and often that’s into your walls. 

Ideally, you should have your gutters cleaned every six months to ensure they’re kept clear. This service is usually offered by window cleaning companies but you may also find a local handyperson or home maintenance company can do it for you. This tends to cost from around £75 but if you live in a bungalow or your gutters can be cleaned with a telescopic brush, then you won’t need to pay out for scaffolding, reducing costs. Getting guards fitted to your gutters and downpipes will reduce clogging, so that may be something to consider.  

Checking your alarms

Most of us know you should get your boiler serviced annually to keep it working safely. Yet many of us aren’t so diligent with our burglar and smoke alarms. Often, we simply fit them and forget about them. But not only is this risky, it could affect your home insurance. 

Getting your burglar alarm serviced will ensure that all the devices are secure and working properly. It should cost between £65 and £100 and the engineer should check the batteries and do a walk test to check the sensors. You may also receive advice on recommended updates or upgrades. 

Additionally, you should be testing your smoke alarm every month. There should be a test button on each unit, making this easy to do. The process is the same for carbon monoxide detectors. So, there’s no excuse to overlook this important task.

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