Practical Advice: home maintenance tips for spring to summer

The following home maintenance tips will keep your property in tip top condition so that you can unwind and enjoy the long, sunny summer ahead.

Spring has well and truly sprung, and for those who’ve been hiding away indoors away from the cold, now is the time to get back outside and make the most of the longer days and warmer weather.

Inspect the exterior
Take a slow walk around your property on a dry and bright day to give it a good inspection for general wear and tear. Check for cracks, broken roof tiles, worn down brickwork and leaking pipes. Consult a professional if you have any concerns or need any repairs and call Westbury directly if there is any damage to your Westbury Garden Room building structure. A minor repair today could prevent major damage to your property later down the line.  

Gutters
To function properly, it is vital that gutters are cleared of leaves, debris, and dirt on a regular basis. Otherwise, rain water will fill the gutters, causing them to overflow, and potentially cause the roof to leak. After scooping out loose particles, we recommend flushing the area with a hose to wash away any remaining debris, ensuring that the downpipes are fully flushed too in case anything has become lodged.

Joinery and paintwork
Take a good look at the wood and its surface coating, paying particular attention to the areas most vulnerable to the elements. Look for chipped paint, dents and gouges to the timber. Should you spot a defect, address it immediately either by touching in the paint colour, or where the damage is to the Accoya® timber, by coating with an end grain sealer to avoid the wood taking on water before painting. For major damage and repair, contact us immediately ensure that any action taken will not compromise your warranty agreement*.

Glass
Windows should be cleaned thoroughly from the inside as well as outside. This is best done by a professional window cleaner but can be done yourself using a good glass cleaner, microfibre cloths and a squeegee. Once the glass is clean you may notice that a squeegee can leave a dirty mark on the glazing bars. Use a clean cloth just to wipe over the internal glazing bars to prevent staining over time

Decking
If you have a decking area in your garden that’s looking a bit sorry for itself, now is the perfect time to bring it back to life, buy hydrocodone now ready for the summer sun. Ensure there are no broken boards or protruding nails, and sand down any rough patches. Use a pressure washer to give the area a good hose down and brush away any dirt and grit. Top up the sealant and stain using a sprayer, if required, and then follow with a paintbrush to ensure every grain is sufficiently coated.

Garden woodwork
To prolong their life, outdoor wooden structures such as fencing, pergolas, and trellises should be stained and resealed every year or so and spring is the ideal time to take on this job. Benches, chairs, tables and other garden furniture should also be given a little TLC so that you can make the most of them once BBQ season arrives.

Trees and shrubs
Your garden has perhaps been a little neglected in the colder months, so Springtime is ideal for tidying up the area and make it more inviting for the coming months. Plants left untended for too long may become overgrown and slink their way into cracks on the exterior of your home, causing damage. It’s best to act sooner rather than later to quite literally nip that issue in the bud – collect up leaves and twigs, prune back trees and shrubs, cut away weeds, and mow the lawn. Spring is also the best season for planting new shrubs, vegetables, and fruits, breathing a new lease of life into the garden.

Deep Spring clean
Spring cleaning can, of course, take place at any time of the year, but why not get started on a proper deep clean today? Pull out furnishings and appliances and remove all the dust, dirt, and grime, work your way into every nook and cranny of every room, including those forgotten areas like the loft and garage. Get the whole family involved to have a clear out of old items, refresh the layout of your belongings, and enjoy the benefits of a cleaner, more inviting home and garden in time for the warmer Summer months ahead.

* Westbury offers a warranty of up to ten years on its garden room and joinery products, covering all key elements such as the joinery, surface coating, glazing, roof and more.