Summer Maintenance
For locals based in Soho either with residential or business property located in Soho and central London property maintenance during the summer months has many benefits. By taking advantage of the good weather it will allow you to get ahead of most maintenance jobs thus avoiding a lot of stress and anxiety throughout the year by simply by taking a few simple proactive steps.
Performing property maintenance is essential but for many not enjoyable. However it can be a little more pleasant and a lot less aggravating in the summer months rather than the harsh winter months. Here are our Top 10 Summer Tips for maintenance jobs, keeping your property maintained through the summer. This will ensure you have an enjoyable, relaxing season together with minimising the impact of a stressful winter.
1. AIR CONDITIONING
For those residents or businesses local to Soho with air conditioning a priority for your summer maintenance to-do list is to have your air conditioning unit inspected and serviced to prevent unwanted emergencies.
Servicing ensures refrigerant levels are correct. Air conditioning running at the correct temperature makes sure your electricity bills are as low as possible. Servicing will also make sure your fan is functioning well, the coils are clean and there are no potential fire hazards with faulty wiring.
Most air conditioner units have a filter that should be cleaned every two weeks, especially if they are running at high levels for protracted times. Clean the filter of dust by either washing it with a cloth and warm water or using a vacuum cleaner. If your air conditioner has been recently purchased, it may have a self-cleaning function. Be sure to read instructions before taking any action.
Additionally the fan needs to be cleaned of dust as well. First turn off the unit. Then remove the fan motor. Once removed, check the fan, clean it off and then replace it reversing the process of how you took it off.
Check the age of your device, it is recommended to replace your air conditioning unit every 12 years. If in any doubt call an engineer for assistance or Fox Soho will be happy to either advise or help.
2. RADIATORS
Bleed your radiators down over the summer months and even clean the system as you will potentially not be using the central heating that often. You might even take advantage of the opportunity to clean the heating system? This will reduce the strain on your boiler and central heating system helping you to avoid leaks and other plumbing related problems during the approaching winter months.
3. SMOKE ALARM & CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
Check all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as the heat of the summer months can cause problems for residential and commercial properties especially in built up areas such as Soho and central London.
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on a monthly basis. Make sure you change the batteries twice a year. You should have one smoke alarm on each floor of your property, preferably more. If the unit is more than ten years old, it should be replaced.
Make sure you fit a carbon monoxide detector to protect yourself from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. If the detector finds there is an unsafe level of carbon monoxide in your home or business it will notify you in a manner similar to a smoke detector – loud beeping.
Carbon monoxide detectors require the same degree of regular maintenance as a smoke alarm, so check your carbon monoxide detector each month changing the batteries twice a year. Carbon monoxide detectors often have only a seven-year life span.
4. EXTERNAL CLEANING
An important element of maintaining your home’s exterior is to routinely clean it, the easiest way to do so is to pressure wash the floors and walls of terraces and balconies.
Before you start however, it is a good idea to check these areas for cracks and weeds. Once you have inspected everything, ensure that you cover plants, plant pots, electrical outlets, windows and doors to avoid creating any new problems via pressure washing.
Then pressure wash, washing away everything that has been collecting on surfaces for the past year such as dirt, stains and mildew.
In some cases such as certain block work and wooden decking re-staining with a good preserver makes for a longer lasting solution providing a cost effective measure in the long term.
5. MAINTAINING YOUR BARBECUE
During the spring or summer months prepare your barbecue for action. For gas powered barbecue grills check all pipes and connections before firing up for the first time during the current season. When the barbecue is alight turn the heat up to high and let the grill cook with the lid closed for about 30 minutes. Allow the grill to cool and then brush it off with a wire grill brush. Wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth. Deep clean the grill’s drip pans with a brush and hot soapy water.
For charcoal barbecue grills, completely empty the grill and brush out any residue such as dirt and ash. Then clean it both inside and out with hot soapy water, clean the grill with a wire grill brush or a coarse wire sponge and some liquid dish washing soap. Let the grill dry completely before using it again.
6. PEST CONTROL IN SOHO
Summer is by far the most popular time of year when the majority of issues occur with pests such as rats, mice, fleas, wasps and cockroaches as the warmer weather ensures there is a population boom with such rodents and insects.
Soho is one of the most densely populated areas of London for restaurants. This, along with the nature and age of it’s architecture in this area of central London combines to make it a real attraction for all nature of pests.
With this in mind even the most well-maintained properties can have issues with rodents and insects. Whether you have a home or business in Soho keep your property in a clean and tidy order, storing food efficiently, close your bins and dispose of food waste effectively and regularly on your designated Westminster Council waste collection days.
The majority of people do not act proactively enough the moment a problem is discovered, or for that matter even like dealing with such an issue, however unsettling it may be. As nearly every rodent or insect reproduces at an incredible rate, any unnecessary delay will bring on a serious problem very rapidly especially in such densely populated areas like Soho and central London locations.
7. DRAIN MAINTENANCE
Drainage and plumbing issues tend to be year-round problems, but most of us do not even consider these issues until the autumn or later in the winter months when gutters become blocked with leaves and other debris.
However, locals living in Soho, Greater London or indeed the South East of England will know that the rain doesn’t stop in the summer months with storms leading to torrential monsoon like downpours these past few years.
Inevitably his can increase the strain on your drainage system. The summer is a good time for drain maintenance, although the heat can cause some unpleasant smells, they tend to be dryer so a good time to clear any unwanted blockage or build up which causes problems and future issues at a later date.
8. ROOF & GUTTERS
Inspect and maintain your roof and guttering while the conditions are on your side whether it’s something as major as getting the existing roof replaced or fixed and guttering cleaned so you can relax and enjoy the summer months not having to worry about winter approaching when the inevitable panic sets in when you cannot find services to attend or repair a problem when the weather degenerates.
Inspect (safely) and survey your roof annually to ensure that you don’t have any problems such as loose or missing roof tiles, as this damage will worsen as the weather declines.
Whether autumn and winter have just passed or about to begin, checking your roof regularly will ensure small problems don’t become large, expensive ones. You may also want to take this opportunity to clean your roof to avoid any permanent water damage.
Regularly cleaning your gutters will help prevent clogging and unnecessary damage. We recommend cleaning your gutters twice a year: once in late spring or early summer when the weather is improving and once in late autumn or early winter, after most leaves and debris has fallen, prior to the first frost.
9. WINDOWS
After a hard winter be sure to open all windows and thoroughly inspect them to find if the winter elements have taken their toll.
If so, find time to repair them firstly by deep cleaning, preparing, priming and then applying new paint including replacing any damaged fixings that might be required.
Whatever situation you may find yourself this summer, it’s the perfect time of year to wash your windows from the outside. As this process doesn’t happen with any regularity (in most cases) use a bucket of soapy water and a sponge as it will usually deliver the best results to ensure your windows look sparkling clean.
10. EXTERIOR PAINTING
This is a simple, yet very effective home maintenance summer project. Exterior painting will give a boost to your home’s appearance. Now that it’s warm enough to work outside you also benefit from quicker drying times and the results can be very cost effective. You can freshen up your property by retouching and painting the outside of your property making it appear as good as new.
For the more challenging of tasks such as those that include reaching awkward areas or projects involving height problems always be sure of safety first and hire or employ professionals if in doubt.
Some of these jobs are basic yet vital to ensure the upkeep of your residential or commercial property. A selection are more involved and may require the help of local professionals because of the knowledge or safety issues involved.
Do not hesitate to Contact Us as no matter how modest or challenging the job or if you’re just looking for advice, we will be delighted help you with any issues you may have as we are local to Soho thus perfectly located to assist.