Bathroom:

With bathrooms, there are a number of visual checks that you can do. For a start check the condition of all your seals. A seal is the white flexible bead that runs around your bath and shower, allowing water to run from your tiles, back into the bath/shower. If the seal is broken, loose, or curling away from the wall or bath, water can freely run down the back of your bath, and eventually make its way through the ceiling and into the room below (often causing water to leak from a ceiling rose/ light fitting).The grout in a bathroom (between the tiles) should also be checked, especially around wet areas. Gaps in grout can mean water getting behind tiles, causing damp patches, risk of water leaking into other rooms, and tiles coming loose. If you do see gaps, it may be worth re-grouting your tiles.Toilets also need to be checked over. If you hear any irregular sounds, such as the flush cycle taking longer that it normally does, it’s a good idea to have it checked over, and is often remedied by adjusting the flush valve. Also check taps for leaking (often repaired by replacing a washer).

Kitchens:

The kitchen is the most well used room in the house, and is subject to the most wear. As with the bathroom, it is important to check your seals at the back of your kitchen worktop and around your sink. Spills need containing, and a gap can often cause water to penetrate down the back, or into your units.Also check your plumbing. Nine time out of ten, under the sink is where everything comes together, i.e. your water outlets for your dishwasher and washing machine, your isolation valves, and the waste from your sink etc. Make sure that nothing is leaking, and the outlet connections from your washing machine/dishwasher is secured and in place. Also check your plughole is not leaking.Your appliances need regular maintenance too. Your boiler is often located in the kitchen, so ensure you keep up to date with any service plan the manufacturer of your boiler has to offer or recommends, and always use a Gas Safe engineer.

Loft / Attic:

First of all, it is a good idea to board your loft, and install an easy to pull down loft ladder. This not only increases the lofts overall storage capacity, but also allows for good, easy and safe inspection.When in the loft, first check for any leaks on the floor and around the chimney breast (this also includes any water stains). Leaks could mean, among other things, a loose tile or a potential problem with your flashing.Check around your water storage tank. Check for leaks, and also check that your overflow pipe (this is usually plastic and is at the top of your tank heading through your wall appearing outside) is connected to your tank, and is not obstructed. This after all is your first line of defence if something goes wrong, and will direct the 80 litres of water safely outside rather than through your ceiling and subsequent floors.Remember also that your roof space needs ventilation, so ensure that your insulation is not pushed right into the corner of the roof.It is a good idea to check in the loft every 6 months or again, after high winds.

Radiators:

Radiators are the main source of getting heat into your home, and it is important to make sure they are correctly maintained. Firstly check for leaks at the 3 main points of the radiator.The first is at the thermostat valve, located at the bottom of the radiator identifiable by being the biggest dial on the radiator, often having numbers on it for temperature control.The second is around the lockshield valve, located opposite to the thermostat valve.The third is at the bleed valve, which is located at the top of the radiator, and can often be identified by having either a slotted head or small cube coming out of the centre of it (this is what you turn to bleed a radiator).If you have no leaks, then its time to check for efficiency.To check whether your radiators are reaching their maximum efficiency, turn your heating system on and start by going around each radiator in your home and touching the top half. If it is noticeably cooler than the bottom half of the radiator, then your system probably needs bleeding. By bleeding your radiators, you are preventing air building up, which causes blockages to the flow of hot water in your system.You can bleed radiators yourself, and it is not a complicated job. Remember though, any plumbing activity involving pipework is covered by regulations.

Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms:

Something that often gets overlooked, but is probably the most important item on this list, as it can save your life, is the regular upkeep of any smoke or carbon monoxide alarms you have in your home. Ideally, these alarms should be connected to your main electrical supply with a battery back up so even if the battery dies, you are still protected. If you do only have battery powered alarms, these should be tested once a week, with the battery being replaced at least once a year.Please visit the link below which details the Government’s advice and guidance on Smoke Alarm safety:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/FireSafety/DG_071751