17-Jackson Building Centres Building Products News 230408

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DO IT YOURSELF THIS BANK HOLIDAY

As the first May bank holiday approaches Jackson Building Centres Lincoln branch on Canwick Road are expecting an influx of customers, as people opt to make the most of the long weekend and carry out home improvements.

Andy Williams manager of the Lincoln branch, comments: “During the bank holiday weekend and with the promise of warmer weather on the way, people tend to turn their attention to improving the outside of their homes, checking for signs of damage, and often making gardens a priority.

“It’s a good idea to have a well thought out programme of maintenance projects, rather than tackling things ‘ad hoc’, as deterioration can occur slowly and go unnoticed for years, making repairs much more expensive. Use your bank holiday weekend to run through the following:

Walls
Make sure that air bricks are clear and that the earth or paving is six inches below damp course level, sloping away from the house to shed water. Check for cracks in brickwork or masonry, damaged pointing, crumbling bricks and any loose rendering.

Doors & Windows
If you have timber or metal windows, check for rot or corrosion, missing putty and flaking paint, particularly around sills and at the joints of door and window frames, and for missing mastic where frames join the surrounding wall. If you have PVC windows then give them a clean! Ideally, PVC windows and conservatories should be cleaned twice a year.

Chimneys & flues
Look for broken pots, cracked or worn brickwork, missing pointing and loose flashings (the lead or cement seal between the chimney & roof) – use binoculars to get a really good look! Make sure flues are free from all debris, such as twigs & leaves.

Roofs
Missing, slipped or broken roof tiles or slates should be replaced as a matter of urgency to prevent water penetration. Pointing between ridge tiles may need attention, and also check for damaged coverings on flat roofs. For safety reasons, roof work should, in most cases, be left to the professionals.

Gutters & pipes
Blocked and cracked gutters or open joints in rainwater pipes are so often ignored. Check for leaks in downpipes, gutters and pipes taking drainage water from within the house. Check especially for leaks behind the pipes, which can quickly cause damp patches. Also deal with dripping overflow pipes from lavatory cisterns and water tanks.

In the garden
Make sure your garden is ready for the bank holiday barbecue! Check for any loose paving, broken slabs and damaged fencing and consider improving your garden with new landscaping or adding features such as patios, walls or garden sheds. Existing patios will probably benefit from a clean with a pressure washer and hedges can be trimmed and tidied with a strimmer.

All these checks can be carried out your self, and many repairs are well within the capabilities of the DIY enthusiast. If you don’t have all the tools for the job, then hiring the necessary equipment can prove a more cost-effective option than purchasing. Jackson hire departments offer everything from stepladders to pressure washers.

Andy concludes: “Your house is probably your biggest single investment and home maintenance and improvements are vital both for creating a pleasant environment in which to live and securing the market value of the property.

Remember, if you’re thinking of selling your house, buyers look for properties which are well maintained and attractive.”

Email: clairewindsor@colbear.co.uk