Certus Mortgage Solutions: Damage limitation

YOU COULD BE FACING COSTS OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS A YEAR IN UNEXPECTED REPAIR BILLS, LIKE BOILER BREAKDOWNS, BLOCKED DRAINS AND BUST PIPES. THE SOLUTION? PREVENTION RATHER THAN CURE...

Before you start planning how to tackle your repair and maintenance bills, you need to check your household insurance. Some household repairs may be covered, for example, fallen roof tiles if they are displaced during a storm.

Caring for your home

Most emergency costs can be avoided with regular maintenance checks, like having your boiler serviced every year.

Cleaning, repairing and repainting wooden window frames and doors should be done every two years - otherwise they may need replacing entirely if you neglect them for 10 years.

Check regularly for dripping taps, toilets that won't flush properly, radiators that don't heat up evenly and blocked drains.

Remember to watch for the signs (and smells) of damp - catching this one early is the only way to avoid a steep bill.

Putting in decent loft insulation and making sure the house doesn't get too cold during the winter will protect against the risk of burst pipes.

As safe as houses

Always keep your buildings and contents insurance up-to-date and if you make any structural changes to your house, for example if you have an extension built or double glazing fitted, ensure these are included on the policy.

Cutting down on costs

Regular inspections around your home mean you'll be able to fix potential problems when they occur rather than waiting till a crisis happens. Keep a check on the following things.

Gutters and drains

Leaves and trapped debris will build up, so get a ladder and clean out the gutters every year. While you're up there check the roof for loose or fallen tiles. Check drains for obstruction, too. Regular flushing with a hose should do the trick; if not you may have to call out a specialist drainage firm.

Heating system

Boilers should be serviced once a year. Unless you've got an annual service contract, book an appointment with a CORGI (Council for Registered Gas Installers) engineer. Check radiators - if they're cold at the top and hot at the bottom you're wasting money and energy. `Bleed' the radiators and release any trapped air by adjusting the valves.

Plumbing

Fix dripping taps before they get worse. It's usually just a case of changing the washer, which you can buy at most DIY stores.

Insulation

Check the cold water tank is insulated with the lid on and pipe work lagged, to prevent pipes freezing and bursting.

Avoid the conman

If you do need to call in the professionals, beware of the following:

be suspicious of anyone who turns up at your door offering to fix your roof or damp proof your home if you need a job done, ask friends for recommendations or contact a trade organisation and get at least three quotes for any job
make sure you've got an address and contact number for the company, not just a mobile number
never pay cash up front, and if you're in any doubt about a tradesman, call your local Trading Standards Office.