Tips for protecting your home from UKweather
We all know that carrying a raincoat and sunglasses is a
necessity in Britain, with its unique and unpredictable weather. Your house can
bear the brunt of these changes and prove costly when it comes to energy bills.
Here are some tips to help make sure you’re not caught out with any sudden
weather changes.
Help your roof do its job
The roof is your home’s umbrella – keeping it dry and
protected from the elements. It’s best kept free of leaks before they cause
damp issues in the rest of the house.
Holes can be difficult to track down. The easiest way is if
you have loft access – use a torch to look for any signs of water stains or
mould. If you can’t get into the loft, you may need to get on the roof itself.
Look for water, stains or mould around anything that projects through the roof,
such as plumbing, vents and the chimney.
A roofing specialist can help you find and repair any damage
to your roof. They get busy when we have a bit of rain, so if you haven’t had
your roof checked in a while, it may be worth finding good time to make sure
your roof’s in good shape to protect you against inevitable downpours.
Sloped roofs are designed to let gravity do its work,
allowing water to flow in to gutters. With the mix of damp weather and sun,
your roof could become a breeding ground for moss and lichen. While it might
add character, water could be pooling in areas, leading to porous tiles letting
water in or cracking them as the water freezes.
Read more: a guide to removing moss
Make sure water is going where it should be
Rainwater needs to be channelled away safely to avoid any
water damage to the rest of the house and its foundations. Keep an eye out for
any damp patches on walls and ceilings as well as stains or plant growth around
the gutters themselves. Any water collecting around your house can also be a
sign that water isn’t draining away correctly.
Cast iron guttering and components can rust and crack. You
can check for these using a torch (and mirror to check the back). Plastic
guttering is prone to developing problems due to the expansion and contraction
that occurs with weather changes. Leaves and silt from the roof can get trapped
and then wear away rubber gaskets with this movement or pop apart the joints.
To keep them in good order, it’s advisable to get your
gutters and rainwater pipes checked once a year. A roofer will be able to help
you look for issues and sort any problems that might be identified.
Stay dry with a conservatory or summerhouse
Conservatories and summerhouses are cosy spots to enjoy your
garden whatever the weather. The main difference between them is that a
conservatory is usually made almost completely from glass, including the roof.
A sunroom can feel like more of an additional room in the house as it’s
normally made with a tiled roof. The only way you can tell it apart from
another room in the house is that there are more windows and they can be
disconnected from the main house and located further into the garden. During
BBQ season, both structures can help keep your guests nice and dry, as chances
are it’s going to start raining when you least want it to.
Read more: designing your perfect conservatory
To start off a conservatory or summerhouse build, you’ll
want to check if you need planning permission. Often, you won’t need it,
however it’s recommended that you check the planning portal to keep up to date
with current regulations. If you need help with the planning as well as the
building, a conservatory specialist can take care of everything right through
to the project being finished
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