Save hundreds by tackling these simple home jobs now
Key Points:
- Home expert reveals seven essential checks that could save you £1,900 in costly summer repairs
- Quick fixes include checking your roof, gutters, pipes for leaks, and touching up exterior paintwork
- Expert says most Brits miss these checks and end up paying hundreds to fix problems that could have been prevented
Thinking about barbecues and garden parties? Hold that thought – your home needs attention first.
“Most people don’t know that summer can actually damage your house if you haven’t done these simple checks,” says home maintenance expert Peter Jones from ADI Leak Detection, who find and fix water leaks in homes across the UK.
Here are the seven checks he says you MUST do now to avoid a hefty repair bill when the sunshine hits.
1. Check Your Roof for Winter Damage
Summer sunshine might seem harmless, but it can make winter damage much worse. Look for loose or missing tiles that could let water in during summer storms.
“Winter weather often damages roof tiles without homeowners noticing,” says Peter. “A £50 repair now could save you up to £450 if water gets in and damages your ceilings during a summer downpour.”
2. Clear Out Those Gutters
All those spring blossoms and seeds clogging your gutters can cause big problems when sudden summer storms hit.
“Blocked gutters can force water to overflow and seep into your walls, causing damp that’s expensive to fix,” Peter warns. “Spending an hour clearing them now costs nothing but could save you around £300 in damp treatment.”
3. Test All Your Pipes for Leaks
Pipes that slightly expanded during winter’s freeze-thaw cycles can start properly leaking once the weather warms up.
“Check under sinks, around toilets and look at any exposed pipes for drips,” advises Peter. “Most importantly, read your water meter, then don’t use any water for two hours and read it again. If the numbers have changed, you’ve got a leak somewhere.”
The cost to fix a small leak might be around £120, but letting it damage floors or ceilings could set you back £700 or more.
4. Inspect Window and Door Seals
Those rubber seals around windows and doors perish faster in hot weather, letting in water during summer storms.
“Run your finger around all seals and look for cracks or gaps,” Peter suggests. “Replacing old seals costs around £15 per window but could prevent water damage worth hundreds.”
5. Touch Up Exterior Paintwork
“Peeling paint isn’t just ugly – it exposes wood to moisture and can lead to rot,” explains Peter. “Summer sun and sudden rainstorms create the perfect conditions for wood to deteriorate.”
A tin of exterior paint costs about £25, while replacing rotten woodwork starts from £200 and can go much higher.
6. Check Your Air Con and Fans
Nothing’s worse than your cooling system failing during a heatwave – and repair companies charge premium rates during busy summer months.
“Test all cooling systems now and clean filters,” Peter recommends. “A service costs around £60, but emergency repairs during peak summer can cost triple that amount.”
7. Inspect Outdoor Taps and Hoses
“Outside taps that haven’t been used all winter often develop problems,” says Peter. “A leaking outdoor tap can waste thousands of litres of water and add significantly to your bills.”
Turn on each outside tap and check for leaks around the fixture and any connected hoses. Fixing a dripping outside tap typically costs around £85, but water damage to adjoining walls could cost £250 or more to repair.
Peter Jones, Home Maintenance Expert at ADI Leak Detection, commented:
“Most homeowners think winter is the dangerous season for property damage, but summer brings its own unique risks. The combination of intense sun, sudden heavy downpours, and increased water usage can expose weaknesses in your home that have developed over winter.
“What’s frustrating is that most summer damage is completely preventable with a few simple checks that take just a couple of hours in total. These seven checks cost very little to fix if you catch problems early, but can save you well over £1,500 in emergency repairs.
“We see a huge spike in calls during July and August for issues that were probably there in spring but went unnoticed. By then, a small leak has often become a big problem, and homeowners are facing bills in the hundreds or even thousands – not to mention the disruption to those summer plans they’ve been looking forward to all year.”
