Current Press Releases
Helping you prepare your home for winter
Date
10 July 2009
Location, location, location is the mantra when it comes to buying property, but in the current economic climate, when many people are choosing to stay put, the importance of looking after the place where you live has never been more vital. This year SPAB's (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) annual National Maintenance Week spotlights the most important location in your life - your home. The week runs from November 20th to November 27th.
SPAB's 2009 campaign is supported by TV property expert Phil Spencer. As a trained building surveyor, Phil not only knows how to find the ideal home, he is also keenly aware of the importance of continuing to maintain and look after it once the excitement of moving in, decorating and furnishing has worn off. His ten top tips on winter property maintenance can be found at the end of this release and at SPAB's dedicated website: www.maintainyourbuilding.org.uk .
Phil Spencer explains: "The plain fact of the matter is that maintaining your property makes good sense and saves money. However, the sad truth of the matter is that many people put property maintenance way down their list of priorities. It's like dealing with your health - try to remember that prevention is always better than cure. In the long-run regular maintenance of your home is far less intrusive and expensive than letting it fall into disrepair and then having to fix it up again."
Now in its seventh year, National Maintenance Week (Nov 20 - 27) aims to provide homeowners (and people who care for public buildings such as churches, village halls and local authority venues), throughout the UK, with practical tips and advice on how to prepare their building to face the worst that winter can bring.
The annual campaign is designed to promote awareness of the simple, economic and achievable maintenance steps that can be taken in autumn to stave off costly major faults and damage at a later date.
SPAB is Britain's oldest conservation body fighting to save old buildings from decay and dereliction, but the message of National Maintenance Week is relevant to everyone who owns or cares for a property, whether it's 500-years-old or brand new.
Water damage is a particular concern - especially as winter rains approach. The annual cleaning of gutters and drains (at roof and ground level) can be much cheaper and less inconvenient than having to cope with a serious outbreak of dry rot in timber roof trusses and floorboards following years of neglect.
National Gutters Day (this year Friday November 27th) is a light-hearted, but 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. It's not difficult - just a few minutes spent clearing weeds and debris, or just a few pounds spent to mend a leaky gutter can save many hundreds, and possibly thousands of pounds!
Many homeowners seem to be daunted by maintenance and lack the confidence or knowledge to get to grips with it, but SPAB's National Maintenance Week is designed to reassure them that they are not alone and to provide, encouragement, information and advice that really can make a difference. SPAB's dedicated website www.maintainyourbuilding.org.uk is packed with helpful tips to get you started.
National Maintenance Week 2009 in association with Jewsons.
