Hambleton and Richmondshire residents are being urged to
check their gutters this week as part of National Maintenance
Week.
The two authorities are backing the Society for the Protection
of Ancient Buildings’ (SPAB) annual campaign which aims to to
provide homeowners throughout the UK with practical tips and
advice on how to prepare their building to face the worst that
winter can bring.
Now in its eighth year this year’s celebrity supporter is
Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, the TV presenter best known for his
interior design knowledge. One of the most effective ways to look
after a building is to give it a simple 'MOT' at the beginning of
winter to make sure that it is ready to face potential problems
caused by rainfall, high winds and debris like fallen leaves and
twigs and Laurence has produced his top ten tips on winter propety
maintenance.
National Gutters Day (Friday November 26) is a practical
reminder to everyone that even if they do nothing else this autumn,
spending 10 minutes outside on a rainy day checking the performance
of their gutters and drains can really make a difference. Just a
few minutes spent clearing weeds and debris - or just a few pounds
spent to mend a leaky gutter - can save many hundreds, or possibly
thousands of pounds!
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's 10 top tips for simple maintenance
are:
· Look for
blocked downpipes - best done during heavy rain to see water coming
from any leaky joints. In dry weather look for stained
brickwork
· Check ground
level gullies and drains to make sure they are clear of debris like
leaves, twigs, balls and toys - and have them cleaned out if
necessary
· Every autumn
clear any plants, leaves and silt from gutters, hopperheads, flat
roofs and drainage channels. It's a good idea to do this in spring
too to deal with anything that might have found its way into the
wrong place
· Remove
potentially damaging vegetation from behind downpipes by cutting
back or removing the plant altogether
· Use a hand mirror
to look behind rainwater pipes as splits and cracks in old cast
iron and aluminium often occur here and are not easily noticed
· Fit bird/leaf
guards to the tops of soil pipes and rainwater outlets to prevent
blockages
· Have gutters
refixed if they are sloping the wrong way or discharging water onto
the wall
· If sections of
gutter are beyond repair, make sure that replacements are made of
the same material as the originals (on older houses, this is
sometimes lead, but more usually cast iron)
· Regular painting
of cast iron is essential to prevent rust
· Don't undertake
routine maintenance work at high level unless you are accompanied
and have suitable equipment - if in doubt seek help from a
professional
· Take care at all
times, wear protective gloves when necessary and never work at
heights or use ladders if you are alone.
For more information visit http://www.maintainyourbuilding.org.uk/