The Urban Homeowner's Guide For Essential Property Repairs And Maintenance

Between the chaos of family life and the fast pace of urban living, keeping on top of property repairs can feel like a second full-time job since there's a core set of recurring tasks that need to be done. On top of minor emergency fixes, homeowners in the city have to tackle standard maintenance tasks like having the boiler serviced, gutter clearing, and periodic paint touch-ups. For this reason, some families choose to live in a newly built house since it requires less maintenance. But families who live in an older home have to deal with recurring problems like damp, leaky roofs, mould, and ageing plumbing, which can cause serious chronic stress, financial strain, and health problems.

New research has found that about 15 million people in the UK live in homes that could harm their health. To protect your family and prevent unnecessary stress, it's important to keep your abode in good condition. From tackling damp and mould to keeping your heating system well-maintained, here is the urban homeowner's guide for essential property repairs and maintenance. 

Inspect Plumbing and Electrical Systems

Owning a home in the city sounds glamorous, until you're juggling school runs with a sudden burst pipe on a cold Tuesday morning. To avoid costly repairs and keep your home comfortable at all times, make sure to inspect your plumbing and electrical systems at least once a year. If you're living in London, Oxford, or Cambridge, call a professional plumber who services these areas to inspect toilets and faucets for leaks, test water pressure, and flush the water heater. Be sure to have leaky faucets, clogged drains, or running toilets repaired immediately to prevent water damage and high utility bills.

Next, call a professional electrician to inspect faulty outlets, flickering lights, or circuit breaker trips. If you're living in an older home, ask them to check if your property needs a partial or full rewiring. This helps to eliminate safety hazards like electrical shocks or fires, and it also allows your system to handle modern power demands safely. If you're always using an extension lead in certain rooms like the kitchen or living room, ask your electrician to add more wall sockets. This prevents overloading and removes trip hazards in your home.

Maintain HVAC Systems

If you want to keep your city home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, prioritise your HVAC system and make sure that everything is well maintained. Have your boiler serviced every year by a Gas Safe certified engineer to prevent breakdowns, ensure that it runs safely, and keep your warranty valid. Check your pressure gauge regularly, and bleed your radiators if they feel cold at the top and warm at the bottom.

To prevent mould growth and keep your indoor air fresh, leave window trickle vents open and unblocked all year round for continuous airflow. Wipe them clean of dust and dirt every few months. Keep doors open whenever possible, and open windows wide for 5 to 10 minute bursts in the morning. Do the same thing after cooking or showering to get rid of stale air and excess moisture. Don't forget to clean bathroom and kitchen fans every four months, and have your ductwork checked by a professional every few years. 

Meanwhile, to keep your air conditioner units in good condition, clean the filters every 1 to 3 months, or every 2 weeks if you have pets or allergies. Make sure that the vents are not blocked by furniture, curtains, or dust. To prevent your AC units from breaking down, turn them on periodically during the winter months to keep the components moving smoothly.

Roof and Exterior Care

Replacing a roof in London and other UK cities typically costs between £6,000 to £20,000, depending on house size and roof material. Having to replace a whole roof can certainly take a big chunk out of your household budget, so keep it in good condition. Start by cleaning the gutters every year, ideally in late autumn after the leaves drop to prevent standing water and leaks, and brush away moss or use low pressure soft washing to manage moss gently. Use binoculars or a drone camera to safely check roof tiles. Be on the lookout for cracked, loose, or missing tiles, especially after a storm. 

During the spring or summer months, make sure to wash outdoor living spaces and driveways, and inspect exterior woodwork while you're at it. This is also the best time to trim overhanging branches and repaint fences or window frames, so take advantage of the nice weather to complete these tasks.

Take time to care for your exteriors during the autumn and winter months too. Sweep chimneys to get rid of soot and debris, and insulate external taps to keep them from freezing. You may also want to clear debris from around your exterior walls to prevent damp. 

Urban homeownership can certainly keep us on our toes, but there is nothing quite like the satisfaction of a job well done. Tackle essential repairs and maintenance tasks as early as you can to save you stress, time, and money down the road.