Last week, in our blog entry The Red & The Yellow: Autumn In Edinburgh, we were gushing all over the cooler season. The colours, the smells…Well, we made no secret of the fact that we like the time of year a lot.
However, there is one teensy weensy snag: the rain.
It’s not all of the time, by any account. Those romantic, bright and beautiful days do exist. But there is rather more rain than the summer months, which can be a trifle miserable and, if you’re a home owner, damaging.
Constant rain thrashing at a property can do all sorts of hurt over time and, if you’re not prepared for it, harder and faster than you might imagine. “A stitch in time saves nine” as the old saying goes. So what are you waiting for?
Whilst the season is still young, you may yet have time to address at least some avenues of potential disruption and help protect your property from unnecessary harm.
Sound good?
Great! So, let’s take a look at some steps you can take to help get your home through those rainy days this autumn.
Tiles: So, your roof’s main purpose in life is to protect you from rain, snow and anything else that may fall from the sky (though it may struggle with a meteor or pretty much anything larger than an apple). Therefore, it is best to take care of what’s going on above you. Take a look, or get someone to look for you, for any dislodged, broken or missing tiles and get it sorted out as soon as you can. Rainwater is a sneaky wee blighter and will find its way in even the slightest of cracks.
Gutter: It’s easy at this time of year for your gutter get to get clogged up with all sorts of autumnal debris. Make sure that everything is clear so that water can pass through without too much trouble. If there are any blockages, this will encourage water to put pressure elsewhere, including the walls. And, over time, this can be extremely problematic.
Walls: So, you’ve given your gutters a bit of the old elbow grease and you’re feeling dead good about yourself. Great! Well done! Fantastic job!…But you still need to pay those exterior walls some attention. Look to get any cracks fixed and consider applying some water resistant paints. It may seem drastic, but we do get a lot of rain here in Edinburgh. And it could save you a lot of money in the end.
Doors: You might think that the most damage your door gets is the rat-a-tat-tat of your friends demanding nibbles and refreshments on a Friday night, but the weather can wear away quickly at a wooden door if left unloved. Apply some treatments such as paints or varnishes to give it some extra protection. If you’re feeling extra extravagant, why not consider adding a canopy? It looks great and will help redirect any persistent showers.
Windows: The sound of rain tapping on the windows on a stormy night can be an oddly beautiful thing. Sadly, it can also be quite hazardous. Rain can seep through your windows quite easily if they are not sealed properly. Thankfully, it is not a difficult job to do and you can solve the issue quite easily yourself. So, take a look. Roll up your sleeves. Show that weather who’s boss!
We’re not into the worst of the weather just yet, so there’s still time to give your property a thorough checking over and solve any potential issues that need to be solved.
Yes, it’s a bit of bother and can hardly seem worth the effort. But, trust us; if you’re unlucky you can be really unlucky. It just isn’t worth the risk.
Good luck out there. And happy housekeeping.
