Maintaining your property
Some potential purchasers and certainly Surveyors look beyond presentation and examine the state and fabric of your property. To make your property more appealing to purchasers and to ensure it passes any survey with flying colours, pay special attention to the following areas.
Roof
- Flashings
Flashings are used when a roof slope meets brickwork to keep out damp. In modern buildings these are normally lead and should not cause a problem. However in older buildings they are more likely to be sand/cement and are often referred to by surveyors. Check their condition. If they have cracked, you will need to repair them and possibly replace them with lead. - Tiles
If any are damaged or have slipped, replace them. - Roof support
If your roof has heavy concrete tiles, it may need extra support. You may also need to strengthen supports if you’ve had a loft conversion, removed internal walls or use the loft to store heavy items. - Rafters
Check inside your roof space that roof timbers have not become detached, particularly at the ends of rafters where they are attached to the wall. If they have, replace them. - Flat roofs
These are often prone to leaks. A felt roof should be covered with white stone chippings to reflect the heat of the sun. Check that the felt has not split where the walls and eaves meet. It can easily be repaired by reheating if it is cracked or blistered.
Rainwater
A little rain can cause a lot of damage to an interior. It is important to check that your property is watertight.
- Gutters
Check all gutters carefully, particularly if they are older cast-iron gutters. They should slope slightly towards the downpipe. Look at the base of the walls for splash marks or the back of downpipes for staining on the brickwork, as these may mean a cracked gutter. If you have a problem, replace the gutter. - Check that the top of drainpipes are not blocked by leaves and make sure you keep all gutters and pipes free from any blockage.
Doors & windows
Modern timber-framed windows are usually made of soft wood and are prone to rot at the bottom of the frame and sills. Ensure that your windows are regularly painted and the sills are regularly wiped down to remove any water. Repainting every four years is normally enough.
Movement
All buildings move to a certain degree and cracks will always be found by a surveyor - particularly on the exterior. If you are worried about any particular cracks you should take advice from a building surveyor as soon as possible.
Here are some of the most common signs of movement and where it may be found:
- Bay windows
They are often prone to movement as they impose less ground pressure than the rest of the property and because they have more shallow foundations. - Diagonal cracks
These are often signs of movement being caused by trees too close to the property. Be aware that removing the tree will not always correct the problem. - Cracks close to door and window openings
These are often signs that the property has suffered from subsidence. If this is the case, you may need to monitor the movement to see how severe and/ or recent the subsidence is then take advice from a surveyor or engineer.
Wiring
Electric wiring does wear out, and should be tested every five years. However, as a general rule, any wiring installed pre-1967 probably needs replacing.
Plumbing
Central heating boilers should be serviced annually. New radiators also have independent temperature controls which you may consider installing as they improve the efficiency of your heating.
Damp
Rising damp – or any other damp – can be a major problem if you’re selling your property. If you find any of the following, it’s a good idea to start remedial work as soon as possible.
- Penetration damp
Look for damp patches and staining where rainwater has found its way into the structure of a building. - Rising damp
This can be found in rotten skirting boards or damp at the base of walls. It’s usually caused by a break in the damp proof course allowing moisture from the ground to be drawn up into your property. A new one can be installed very easily – normally by injecting chemicals into the brickwork. Be aware that after injecting a new damp course it is possible that moisture may be trapped in the upper section of the wall. If this happens, you may have to remove the damp plaster and allow the brickwork to dry out. - Condensation
This is caused by poor ventilation and is often found in houses with double-glazing. A common characteristic is mould or spotty black furry stains on wall surfaces. Improving the ventilation usually cures this problem.
Drains
Surveyors always check drains, so ensure that your drains are kept clear of any blockages. Be wary of cracked drains which can be invaded by tree roots. These can eventually block the drain completely and cause more severe problems such as subsidence.
