Spring maintenance checklist for holiday homes

Written by Kathryn Flores on February 9, 2011 – 8:55 pm

It’s been harsh winter for UK holiday homes, with many areas experiencing the worst December on record. As spring approaches, hopefully the worst of the weather is behind us.

The arctic conditions combined with hurricane-force winds experienced at the beginning of February, has resulted in significant damage to property. According to the ABI, Insurers paid out £1.4bn in ‘big freeze’ insurance claims this winter.

If you haven’t inspected your property recently, it is prudent to do so. Use our winter maintenance checklist for ideas on what to look out for, paying attention to drains/gutters and pruning loose branches from trees.

Two areas to pay particular attention to are roofs and leaking pipes.

Check the roof

Look out for tile debris and pieces of tile lying on the ground. These can be tell-tale signs that your roof is missing tiles. Are any tiles cracked or loose?

Check from the ground first of all – binoculars may help or use a ladder if you are confident that it’s safe. If you spot any problems, repairs should be made urgently before damp penetrates or a tile falls off and injures someone in windy weather.

You could also make a second check on the state of the roof from your loft space. Look for any watermarks or signs of daylight. Don’t compromise on safety – employ a roofing professional if necessary.

Leaking pipes

The majority of burst pipes in holiday homes are easily spotted due to the substantial damage that thousands of gallons of water gushing from a burst pipe causes. You should also look out for signs that a (underground) pipe may be leaking – albeit slowly. A slow build-up of water can cause a great deal of damage and can lead to higher water bills.

Tell tale signs of a leak may be that you notice lower pressure from your taps, or your water bill might show unusual high usage.

If your home is fitted with a water meter, a simple check is to turn off taps and make sure appliances such as washing machines are not using any water. Check your water meter – if it is registering water use (the dial is turning), this could indicate a leak. Take a reading and after an hour check if the reading has gone up. If so, you could have a leak on your external supply pipe.

It’s recommended that you call your water supply company for advice on who is responsible for the repair of the leak, or contact a plumber to try and locate the leak.

Check you are covered

If you do fall victim to storm damage or burst pipes, contact your holiday homes insurance provider immediately. They should advise on the next steps. It’s also sensible to take photos of items that need emergency repair – and keep any receipts for replaced property.

Regular maintenance is vital to prevent disasters. Investing some time inspecting your holiday home now could save you hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds in repair bills. Remember that as a policy holder the insured has a duty to prevent loss or damage. Also, Insurance is not a maintenance contract – wear and tear is not covered.

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