Home Maintenance: A Cost-Effective Investment

 A new survey [1] has found that UK homeowners are losing an average of £1,885 a year by failing to carry out essential home maintenance jobs. The most common tasks that people put off include fixing a leaking toilet, having gas appliances serviced and safety checked annually, and clearing damp or mould.

This may seem like a small amount to some people, but it can quickly add up over time. For example, if you leave a leaking toilet unrepaired for just a year, you could waste over 200,000 litres of water - that's enough to fill a swimming pool! And if you don't have your gas appliances serviced regularly, you could be putting yourself and your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Gas Safe Register, the UK's official registration body for gas engineers and gas businesses, is urging homeowners to tackle these jobs now to avoid more costly repairs in the future. 

If you are unsure about how to carry out any home maintenance jobs, it is always best to consult a qualified professional. However, there are a number of simple tasks that you can do yourself to save money and keep your home in good condition. Here are a few tips:

Regularly check your roof for loose tiles or slates. 

If you find any damage, have it repaired as soon as possible to prevent leaks.

Clean your gutters and downpipes regularly. 

This will help to prevent rainwater from overflowing and causing damage to your property.

Insulate your attic and walls.

Correctly insulating your home will keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This will save you money on your energy bills.

Bleed your radiators regularly to get rid of any air pockets. 

This will improve the efficiency of your central heating system and save you money on your energy bills.

Get your boiler serviced. 

This can save money in the long run as it increases efficiency and also helps to reduce the risk of breakdowns.

Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Regularly check your alarms to make sure they are working properly. This could save your life in the event of a fire or gas leak.

By following these simple tips, you can save money on your home maintenance costs and keep your home in good condition for years to come.

[1] Research conducted by OnePoll on behalf of the Gas Safe Register. OnePoll surveyed 2,000 UK homeowners (aged 18+) with gas appliances in their homes between 20th and 27th March 2023.