As the new year begins, many of us will set resolutions. These are aimed at improving our lives for the better. They could be to give up a negative habit, to pick up a new hobby or skill or simply to change the way we live day-to-day. But what if you’re looking to make a resolution about staying on top of maintenance? How can you be more proactive in maintaining your home, stopping issues before they occur?
In the United Kingdom, where the weather can be unpredictable at the best of times, taking care of your property is vital. In this post, we’ll explain how you can make proactive maintenance a part of your life in 2024 and beyond!
Why is proactive maintenance important?
To begin, you’ll need to have a good understanding of why proactive maintenance is important in the first place. There’s an adage that goes “prevention is better than the cure.” You’ll find this to be especially true when it comes to maintaining your home in the UK. Wind, rain, snow and intense heat are all possibilities throughout the year and all of these can cause costly repairs down the line.
Proactive maintenance is your chance to remedy these issues before they cost you. It’s a strategy that looks to find problems before they escalate. It will not only save you money but also make you more in control of your property to give you peace of mind.
How does proactive maintenance work?
In short, proactive maintenance is all about finding problems before they occur. This means performing regular maintenance checks on different parts of your house. In the sections that follow, we’re going to cover some of these and explain the best times for you to check them.
Roofing – Roofing is one of the aspects of a house that you will need to be proactive when it comes to maintenance. Small leaks can cause big issues down the line if you’re not careful. Because of this, checking your roof ahead of time and arrange repairs is an important part of a proactive maintenance plan.
Gutters – Another aspect of your house that could cause you a lot of bother in the future are your gutters. Because of how much it rains in the UK, it’s easy for debris to build up in your gutter and wreak havoc. Blocked gutters can cause damp and leaking from your roof all the way down to the foundations of your building.
External walls – Your external walls are as exposed to the elements as your roof is. Because of this, you should make sure to regularly check these to ensure there are no structural issues. Being proactive with maintenance on your external walls can stop any water leaks and potential internal damage.
Electricity & plumbing – While these are two very different areas, they are both equally important. You should always aim to stay on top of both electrical maintenance and plumbing, as big issues with either can cause problems in your home. Keep an eye out for any damage to water pipes and for any electrical faults. Doing so will mean that you will be able to contact a professional right away to help before these issues snowball.
How to create a proactive maintenance plan
Now that we’ve covered some of the key areas of your home you’ll want to check, it’s time for us to explore how you can create a proactive maintenance plan. This can be a great way to make proactive maintenance part of your new year’s resolution. Having a plan and sticking to it is a surefire way of making this practice a new habit! Here is what you should focus on:
1. Schedule regular inspections
You should aim to schedule regular inspections for the most structurally important parts of your house. Focus on what we have defined above, including your roof, gutters, external walls and essential systems. Schedule these checks at different times in the year so that you can focus on one and not feel overwhelmed.
2. Keep records
Always keep records of any potential maintenance issues. For example, let’s say your roof has been showing signs of leaking. You should keep a record of when this began and the severity of the issue. Then, should you need professional help, you will have a comprehensive explanation of what has happened. More than this, you will be able to better understand within your house if you have a comprehensive record of its maintenance history.
3. Focus on critical areas
If you are unlucky enough as to have multiple areas of your house to fix, then you should aim to focus on the most critical issues first. Identifying these key areas for maintenance is going to help you in the long run. For example, roofing and gutter systems require frequent attention. If you have any issues with electricity or plumbing, you will need to get this fixed right away.
4. Look for professional advice
For many issues you will need professional advice. An untrained hand can often cause more damage if you don’t know what you’re doing, so it’s important to always contact experts if you are unsure about any maintenance issue. This is especially true for heating systems, electricity, plumbing and roofing.
As an example, it’s never advisable to get on your roof yourself for an inspection. You could cause damage to the roof, not to mention putting yourself at risk.
Be proactive with roof maintenance in Huddersfield
If you want to make proactive maintenance your new year’s resolution, taking care of your roof is a great place to start. Whether you need advice, a basic inspection or you believe that your roof needs some TLC, DPR Roofing is on hand to help throughout Huddersfield.
With over 30 years of experience roofing across the area, we can help with anything from roof repairs to total replacements. Get in contact with us today and let us be part of your proactive maintenance plan for 2024. Call us on 01484866772 or email at [email protected].