Homeowners may feel compelled to put off vital maintenance tasks while the sun is shining, but renovation specialist Kevin Brown says delaying could lead to bigger headaches later in the season.
Kevin, based at Heritage Window Company, says now is the time to get your home in top shape before the real heat of summer arrives. Here are his four most important tasks to tackle now—ones he says are “essential for maintaining both the function and charm of your property.” His first recommendation is to look at your home’s brickwork.
1. Inspect your brickwork
Now is a good time to walk around your property and closely inspect your exterior walls for signs of wear.
“Have you ever come home after work on a warm evening to find crumbling brick and mortar?” asks Kevin. “It’s nearly always down to a lack of pointing maintenance.”
This common issue, especially in older homes, occurs when trapped moisture in bricks freezes and expands, cracking the surrounding mortar.
To stop it in its tracks, identify flaking or crumbling areas and repoint using a like-for-like, breathable mortar mix. Kevin also advises checking your gutters and downpipes for leaks that could be directing water where it shouldn’t be.
2. Eliminate draughts
“Draughts are a problem any day of the year — and one of the biggest issues renovators are called to solve,” says Kevin.
Older properties are especially vulnerable, with gaps around sash windows, under doors, and even between floorboards allowing breezes to sneak in, but it’s better to find out during summer than winter.
Kevin’s advice? Start by checking high-risk areas for airflow. Self-adhesive weather strips and silicone sealant can fix most window problems, while doors benefit from draught strips and better-fitting letterbox flaps.
Floorboard gaps can be filled with flexible filler products. This small task can dramatically improve comfort and efficiency, not to mention cutting costs by the time winter rolls around.
3. Testing electrics
“There’s a good chance you haven’t tested your electrics in a while,” Kevin says, pointing out that legal requirements exist for rented properties, but homeowners often forget.
A professional Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) should be carried out every 10 years—or sooner if you’ve had major renovations. A certified electrician can spot small issues before they become bigger, potentially dangerous problems.
4. Refresh patios, driveways and decking
Now is the ideal time to transform tired outdoor areas into welcoming spaces for summer entertaining. “It’s unbelievable how much better a property’s frontage and garden patio looks after a good clearing of debris,” says Kevin.
Start with a pressure wash to blast away any moss and dirt built up—just be careful around the joints in block paving to avoid disturbing the sand infill.
For decking, a more delicate approach is needed: clean using mild soap and water, check for loose or splintered boards, and sand down rough patches. Once clean, a coat of decking oil or stain will enrich colour and protect against the elements.