Spring Home Maintenance Checklist for Devon Homeowners

Devon's wet winters are hard on houses. Once the weather warms up, it's time to inspect and fix any damage before it gets worse.

Here's your spring checklist - work through it over a weekend and you'll catch problems while they're still small.

Outside: Start With a Walk Around

Before you get the ladder out, walk around your property and look up.

Roof Check (From Ground)

Look for:

• Missing or slipped tiles
• Ridge tiles that look wonky
• Damaged flashings around chimneys
• Moss buildup (common on north-facing slopes)
• Sagging sections

After Devon winters: Wind and rain shift tiles. One missing tile isn't urgent, but several means water's getting in.

Gutters and Downpipes

Check:

• Are gutters sagging or pulling away?
• Any visible blockages (plants growing is a giveaway)
• Do downpipes connect properly to drains?
• Signs of overflow staining on walls

Clean them: This is the big spring job. Clear leaves and debris, check water flows freely. Blocked gutters cause more damp problems than almost anything else.

External Walls

Inspect:

• Cracks in render or pointing
• Paint peeling or bubbling
• Damp patches (especially at ground level)
• Air brick condition (are they clear?)

Pay attention to: Ground level moisture. If soil or paving has built up against the wall above the DPC, water can bridge it.

Windows and Doors

Check:

• Seals and mastic around frames
• Wood rot on timber frames (poke with a screwdriver)
• Condensation between double glazing (seal failure)
• Hinges and locks working smoothly

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Inside: Room by Room

Loft Inspection

If you can safely access your loft, check:

• Daylight visible through roof (tiles missing)
• Water stains on rafters or insulation
• Damp patches on chimney stack
• Pest activity (droppings, nesting material)
• Insulation disturbed or compressed

While you're up there: Check loft insulation is still properly distributed. It shifts over time.

Bathrooms

Look for:

• Mould or mildew (especially around windows and in corners)
• Failing silicone seals
• Grout condition
• Extractor fan working properly

Pro tip: Run your finger along bath and shower seals. If they're soft, black, or peeling, it's time to re-silicone before water gets behind tiles.

Kitchen

Check:

• Under sink for leaks
• Extractor hood and filters
• Seals around sink and worktop
• Appliance connections

Living Areas

Inspect:

• Window seals (condensation causes)
• Radiator efficiency (cold spots = needs bleeding)
• Door operation (sticking from winter damp)
• Smoke and CO alarm batteries

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Systems Check

Heating

Your boiler has worked hard all winter. Spring is the time to:

• Book a service (better availability than autumn)
• Bleed radiators (they'll have accumulated air)
• Check pressure (should be 1-1.5 bar)

Drains

Test them: Run taps and flush toilets, then check outside for:

• Slow drainage
• Bad smells
• Water pooling where it shouldn't

Inspect drain covers: Clear debris, check for tree root intrusion

Electrics

Basic check:

• Test RCD button on consumer unit
• Check outdoor sockets and lights
• Replace any flickering bulbs
• Test smoke/CO alarms

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Garden and Boundaries

Fences

After winter storms:

• Posts rotted at ground level?
• Panels loose or damaged?
• Gravel boards (the bottom strip) rotting?

Fix fence problems before summer - you'll want the garden usable.

Decking

Check for:

• Rot (especially where it meets the house)
• Loose boards
• Algae buildup (slippery when wet)

Treatment: Wire brush algae, let it dry, apply deck treatment

Paths and Patios

Look for:

• Frost damage to slabs
• Pointing crumbling between slabs
• Drainage issues (water pooling)
• Trip hazards from lifted slabs

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Priority Repairs

After your inspection, prioritise:

Urgent (fix now):

• Roof leaks
• Blocked gutters
• Water ingress
• Security issues

Soon (within a month):

• Failed silicone
• Broken seals
• Small rot issues
• Fence damage

When convenient:

• Repainting
• Cosmetic repairs
• Minor improvements

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Spring Maintenance Jobs

Beyond repairs, these maintenance tasks prevent problems:

• Clean gutters and check downpipes
• Service boiler (book now)
• Bleed radiators
• Test smoke and CO alarms
• Check loft for leaks
• Inspect silicone seals
• Clean extractor fans
• Treat wooden garden furniture
• Pressure wash paths (carefully - not pointing)
• Check outside tap works

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When to Call a Professional

For safety: Roof work, high gutters, structural concerns For expertise: Boiler servicing, electrical issues, damp investigation For speed: If the list is overwhelming, get help

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Need a hand with the list? I can do a maintenance walk-through with you, or tackle the whole checklist. Call 01392 964094 or get a quote.