General, regular house maintenance

[Rogerthatmummy]

I am selling a house that is almost 100 years old and our buyer has just had a full building survey done. It picked up a few things - which the surveyor wrote off as standard for a house of its age - but I am wondering how much the pretty much complete lack of maintenance work we've done has contributed to problems eg drying washing inside contributing to mildew, etc

It occurs to me that despite being in my thirties I am not at all clear about what regular maintenance jobs I should be doing around the house, beyond the odd spring clean and lick of paint on the walls

Thinking about my PIL who built their own house they seem to know what needs doing when and almost have a programme of works, eg before they got UPvc windows, my fil would sand and repaint window frames on an x yearly basis and hedges are trimmed 2 x year whereas our conifer hedge has been trimmed three times in 8 years and are too big and unruly to show for it

I suppose what I am asking is, what sorts of things would you build into your house maintenance programme - activity, frequency, etc ... And what happens if you don't do it

Eg
trim (especially conifer) hedges, 2 x year, otherwise grow too big and get brown die back inside so you can't later cut them right back as they won't grow green again

[r2d2ismyidealman]

I had a builder in a few years back to do up bathroom and kitchen and while there we talked about various buts and pieces that needed to be done. Basically he taught me that house maintenance is a regular project and that I should be setting aside money annually for things beyond my decorating whimsy. Like you, I didn't really have this in mind so it was a real life lesson. I have since moved into a house/property where everything is in good condition. I'm using this as my benchmark for how to maintain the house.

For now we have hired in a gardener monthly during summer for the big jobs inc tree pruning. We have widows cleaned 6 weekly. We're currently sorting out our guttering that had lots of debris in it. We get someone in to help with cleaning the kitchen/bathrooms twice a month - I do the rest. We have a redecorating plan that's budgeted which I will do lots of myself. We plan to change garden gate as it's getting too old to be secure. Each year there will be different projects as things age.

Basically, this is it but I too would be curious to know if someone has more detailed approach to this.

[Lovemypug]

We are renting at the moment but should be exchanging on our house next month.

We are planning to get the gutters cleaned and checked for blockages following advice from the survey, get the driveway cleaned probably once a year after winter, gardener, cleaner, windows cleaned every 2 months or so, fresh lick of paint every few years, get the boiler serviced, carpets professionally cleaned as and when needed, get the roof cleaned if moss builds up.

Also curious to hear what others say in case I'm missing anything :)

[specialsubject]

my thoughts:

trim hedges annually (BTW with all plant trimming and pruning there is a right time and a wrong time, do it at the wrong time and you don't get flowers the next year)
keep trees under control - too big too close to the house is bad
keep gutters clear with a regular check; you can get downpours any time and they get blocked with falling blossom as well as leaves
keep drains clear at all times. Go out in a rainstorm to see that drainage works.

cleaning windows and carpets is nice but not essential as long as you can see out of one and not stick to the other. Obviously a regular vacuum of carpets is good.
treat fences and woodwork to preserve.
go in the loft every so often to make sure all is well there.

turn stopcocks on and off once a year. Don't leave them fully open or they stick.
turn thermostatic radiator valves fully on in summer to stop them sticking.
make sure you have corrosion inhibitor in your heating system.
annual boiler service; essential for oil, good for gas.
keep toilets clear of limescale (as well as cleaning them!)

most importantly - ventilate the place, don't dry washing indoors, put lids on pans, ventilate bathrooms.

[Rogerthatmummy]

Thanks all. I feel so silly that I am only thinking of this after 8 yrs owning a home

Told DH that I am setting up a project list for us. He rolled his eyes

[MissMysticFalls]

Ooh handy. I have the How To Buy a House (or something) book by Kirstie and Phil and the last chapter is on taking care of the property. I shall now read and pay attention!

[TypicaLibra]

Good list specialsubject - I'd only add getting your chimney swept once a year if you have open fires or woodburning stoves.
And - have a quick look at your roof tiles - any cracked or excessively weathered? Get them sorted.

[specialsubject]

thank you - that reminds me, time to wake up our friendly sweep for his annual visit!

[Rogerthatmummy]

Thanks all - hefty to do list compiled with all your suggestions and a few more I have come across while googling...

Indoor jobs

Go in the loft every so often to make sure all is well there
Turn stopcocks on and off once a year. Don't leave them fully open or they stick
Turn thermostatic radiator valves fully on in summer to stop them sticking
Make sure you have corrosion inhibitor in your heating system
Annual boiler service; essential for oil, good for gas
Keep toilets clear of limescale (as well as cleaning them!)
Ventilate well - don't dry washing indoors, put lids on pans, ventilate bathrooms
Get chimney swept once a year if you have open fires or woodburning stoves
Vacuum the coils on the back of fridges 2 x year to make them run better
Fit and test smoke/carbon dioxide detectors
Clothes Dryer: Vacuum lint from ducts and surrounding areas regularly
Maintenance wash on washing machine monthly (?)
Maintenance wash on dishwasher from time to time
Clear bath/ kitchen sink drains with an overnight treatment to dissolve gunk build u
Bleed your radiators at the start and halfway point of each winter.
Check your boiler pressure gauges - If you’ve got a sealed system, do not assume it is working fine. Get a full briefing from the boiler installer so you know what reading to look for. And make sure you have your boiler regularly checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Outside jobs

Annual tree pruning (keep trees under control - too big too close to the house is bad)
Trim hedges annually (checking right time for the plant)
Check and clean out guttering at least 2 x year (NB falling blossom as well as leaves)
Windows cleaned 6-8 weekly
Keep drains clear at all times. Go out in a rainstorm to see that drainage works.
Treat fences and woodwork to preserve
Look at your roof tiles - any cracked or excessively weathered?
Regular weed killer/ pulling up weeds between block pavings etc to prevent weeds taking hold in drives/ paths
Clean decking, patios and driveways in the spring to clear debris/ algae/ dirt

I also came across this guide that I thought was good...

www.salford.gov.uk/d/maintenance-looking-after-your-home.pdf

For all your help

[Rogerthatmummy]

Whoops clicky link!

www.salford.gov.uk/d/maintenance-looking-after-your-home.pdf

[wonkylegs]

You may need to trim hedges more often than once a year - depending on weather & hedge type.
If you use a wood burning stove or fireplace regularly(as part of your main heating system) rather than occasionally (because you feel like a cosy fire) you may need to sweep them every 6mths rather than yearly.
We check gutters & drains every 4-5months because we have a lot of trees so there can be a lot of leaf debris that blocks them up.
Check shower/ bath sealant & grout as this needs regularly replacing & it's better to catch this before water comes pouring through the ceiling.

[Rogerthatmummy]

Thanks wonky

I'd also add re sealant to use a mould and mildew spray on bathroom sealants regularly as once those manky spots set in it is impossible to get the sealant back to white, so would need replacing even if the seal is still good iyswim

[CountingToThree]

I read somewhere you should budget for 1% of your house's worth for ongoing maintenance and repairs - as an average as you may end up spending more some years than others for some of the bigger jobs

[Rogerthatmummy]

Counting - 1% of its worth as a total pot, or as an annual sum?

[CountingToThree]

Think it was to budget annually, but some years more than others eg; 250k house would be £2,500 a year but might be £500 one year for basic maintenance but £4,500 the next (eg new boiler.plus ongoing maintenance)

[Rogerthatmummy]

I thought good housekeeping might have some thoughts so have posted this