Argyll and Bute Council is encouraging local residents to take advantage of National Maintenance Week to prepare their homes for the winter.

The initiative, which runs from Friday November 19 to Friday November 26, provides homeowners with simple, practical advice which can make a significant difference to their properties.

Although National Maintenance week was set up by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, home maintenance is as important for new homes as old.

Among the most common issues to cause problems in the winter are:

· Water damage. November is the time to start trouble shooting, as that’s when drains and gutters become blocked by autumn leaf fall and debris like twigs and old bird nests. If any of these obstruct the easy flow of water away from a building – damp and other serious problems can follow.


· Damaged or slipped roof tiles. Even a relatively small gap can let in damaging amounts of water. It’s much easier and cheaper to have a tile fixed than replace trusses rotted through years of neglect.

· Rotting or otherwise badly maintained windows.

· Vegetation growth on or near a house. Trees, bushes and climbing plants can cause dampness and structural damage.

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) – which oversees National Maintenance Week - recommends the INFORM series of publications regarding all aspects of historic building maintenance and repair, which are available to download at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/freepublications

In addition, there is a short ‘Maintaining Your Home’ guide for homeowners at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/maintaining-your-home.pdf

Now in its eighth year, National Maintenance Week is designed to promote awareness of the straightforward, economic and achievable maintenance steps that can be taken in autumn to stave off costly major faults and damage at a later date.

(GK)