Grant Crossley talks up a storm
All he surveys
Grant Crossley talks up a storm in his first Latest Homes column of 2014, and reveals his home health checks following inclement weather
Allegedly, bad weather always looks worse through a window. However, post-Christmas, we’ve battened down the hatches and hunkered down to battle the torrential rain and gale-force winds – all of which has put a severe strain on our homes.
I’m no Michael Fish, but inevitably, after a storm comes the calm – now is the time to get prepared.
Your home is often your biggest financial asset. Should you decide to ignore any problems now, you run the risk of haemorrhaging your hard-earned cash on putting things right in the future.
Ride out the storm, put your coats on and head outside to asses any damage – the exterior of your building is your first line of defence against the weather.
So, what are you looking for?
Grant’s External Tips:
Check the roof
Water penetration, especially wind-driven rain, is a common problem. If you have a pitched roof, check for any slipped, missing or broken roof tiles and slates. Most roofs can be viewed from street level, although should you decide to get the ladder out, read up about working at heights. But, remember, you can always call a professional if in need.
Look for any missing or upturned lead flashings or similarly broken cowls. Cowls are fitted to chimney pots to increase the draft and prevent wind and rainwater entering into your chimney, and they’re also named after a monk’s hood.
If you have a flat roof, check for signs of cracking, blistering, and standing water. Surprisingly, even small hairline cracks or fissures can lead to unwelcome damp.
Check the gutters
Head towards the eaves of your property. The eave is the projecting bottom edge of your roof, forming an overhang to throw rainwater away from your exterior walls; but nowadays this is collected by guttering (secretly listening to an inside conversation under these is where eaves-dropping comes from).
Check that fascias and soffits are intact. Clean out any leaves and debris which can block up the guttering, and replace any broken sections, missing stop-end and brackets. Should you find any blockages in the rainwater downpipe you may need to call a professional.
Check fenestration & external walls
Look for any poor or perished sealants around windows, doors and frames and ensure glass is firmly intact with no likely gaps to allow any water ingress. Monitor any notable cracks to the external walls; call in the professionals if cracks appear extensive or you’re in doubt.
Check the surrounding areas
Clean away fallen leaves and debris from the pathway, stairs and patios as these can be slippery! Ensure drains are free from blockages and that surrounding fences and outbuildings are in one piece.
Grant’s Internal Tips:
Check the roof void
Inspect the underside of the roof, if possible, to check for signs of water ingress and look for any splits or tears in the roofing felt – can you see any daylight?
Check external facing walls & ceilings
Check internal walls, ceilings and window reveals for any signs of new damp staining. These areas may correspond with external defects highlighted, but if in doubt call in the professionals.
If you find any subsequent damage to your property, contact your home insurance company first, and ensure you have an emergency list of reliable tradesmen close to hand. Keep receipts of any emergency repair work.
Remember, carrying out annual planned maintenance of your home could avoid the stresses associated with insurance claims and is likely to save you time and money in the long run.
Follow me: @MrGrantCrossley
