Free checklist
Before winter: the autumn building check
Winter finds whatever was left undone in autumn. Walk the building once, after most of the leaves are down, and deal with the small jobs while they are still small.
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Before you start
How to use this
Do this from the ground. Do not go on a roof or up a ladder to complete it. Photograph anything you tick as a problem, with the date showing.
This is a prompt for whoever looks after the building. It does not replace your landlord or provider procedures, or any statutory check.
Roof and gutters
From the ground
- No slipped, cracked or missing tiles you can see
- Gutters clear of leaves and plants
- No gutters sagging or dripping at joints
- Downpipes firmly fixed to the wall
- No stains running down outside walls
Walls and openings
Keeping weather out
- Pointing and render not cracked or missing
- Air bricks clear
- Windows and doors shutting tight
- Seals around doors and windows sound
Water and heating
Pipes and boilers
- Everyone knows where the stopcock is, and it turns
- Pipes in cold spaces and lofts lagged
- Outside taps isolated or covered
- Dripping overflows reported
- Boiler service booked with a registered engineer
Outside
Paths and drains
- Paths and steps level, with no loose slabs
- Gullies and drains clear of leaves
- Outside lighting working
- Fences and gates firm before the wind gets up
- Grit or salt in stock for paths people must use
Record it
Close the loop
- Date, location and what you found
- A photograph of each problem
- Who it was reported to, and the date it was fixed
- Who to ring in an emergency, written down where staff can find it
If you find something
Send us the list
Most of this is the work we do every week. See roofing and guttering, building repairs and plumbing and drainage.
Get in touch
Tell us where to start
Ring Wayne Cator, our Managing Director, or send us the details and we will come back to you.