Prevention Costs Pennies. Repair Costs Pounds.
The most expensive home repairs are almost always the ones that could have been prevented. A £2 bleed key used every autumn saves a £80 heating engineer call-out. A quick check of your roof after storms saves a £1,500 ceiling replacement when a missed leak spreads. Here's a room-by-room, season-by-season checklist to keep your home running and your bank account intact.
Spring (March–May)
Exterior and Garden
- Inspect the roof from the ground (use binoculars) for missing, slipped, or cracked tiles after the winter
- Check gutters and downpipes for blockages, sagging, or cracks — clear debris before April showers
- Inspect window and door frames for cracked or missing sealant — re-caulk where needed
- Check garden taps and outdoor pipes weren't damaged by frost over winter
Inside the Home
- Test all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors — replace batteries
- Check boiler pressure (should be 1–1.5 bar) and book a service if it hasn't had one in a year
- Inspect under sinks for any slow drips you may have missed over winter
Summer (June–August)
Bathroom and Kitchen
- Re-grout or re-caulk anywhere you notice discolouration, cracking, or mould growth
- Clean washing machine seals and filters
- Descale taps and showerheads (soak in white vinegar overnight)
- Check that extractor fans are working properly — clean or replace filters
Structural
- Inspect the loft space for signs of moisture, pest activity, or insulation gaps
- Check internal doors — summer humidity can cause sticking that signals frame movement
Autumn (September–November)
Heating System
- Bleed all radiators before turning the heating on for the season
- Test the heating system on the first cool day — don't wait for the cold snap
- Insulate pipes in unheated spaces (loft, garage) before the first frost
- Replace boiler filter (magnetite filter/magnetic filter) if applicable
Exterior
- Clear gutters again after leaf fall (October–November)
- Check roof again after the first autumn storms
- Check seals around windows and external doors for drafts — fit draught excluders where needed
Winter (December–February)
Cold Weather Readiness
- Know where your main stopcock is and that you can turn it off quickly in an emergency
- If going away for more than a few days, leave heating on low (minimum 12°C) to prevent frozen pipes
- Keep a drip running from one tap during severe cold snaps if you're in an older property with exposed pipes
General
- Test smoke alarms and CO detectors again at Christmas
- Check under sinks, in the loft, and around radiator valves for any seasonal drips or new damp patches
Quick Wins Worth Doing Today
If you can only do five things from this list, do these: test your smoke alarms, locate your stopcock, check under your sink, bleed your radiators, and clear your gutters. Those five tasks take under two hours total and could save you thousands.