Common Maintenance Considerations for Landlords

Like much of the North of England, the climate in Chester is often wet and damp 50% of the time.

This can exacerbate the cause of most maintenance issues with rental properties in Chester – water.

Let’s look at these in more detail:

Damp and Mould

The three big causes:

1. Rising Damp – most common in older properties where the original in-built damp course has failed. Moisture from the ground soaks up through the brickwork.
2. Penetrating Damp – where rainwater finds its way into the building because of external faults like blocked gutters, missing mortar from brickwork, window/door frames not sealed properly, and much more.
3. Poor Ventilation – allowing moisture and condensation from cooking, washing, bathing etc to be trapped inside the property, settling on internal walls and eventually causing mould and damage inside.

Water Leaks

All rental properties in Chester have pipework allowing water in (for drinking, cooking, washing, and heating etc) and taking waste water out (from bathrooms, kitchens etc). There is a lot of water flowing around.

Plastic and copper pipework can expand and contract under extreme changes in temperature causing joints to leak and break. Poorly installed plumbing installations will become loose quickly.

Areas of high water exposure such as sinks, baths, and showers are securely sealed around the edges to prevent water flowing into cracks. These seals do deteriorate over time and will need re-applying.

Waste water flowing out through waste pipes contains “waste” of all kinds, including food particles and hair etc, which can build up and block the waste pipes.

Tips for avoiding common water problems with your Rental Property in Chester

1. Clean gutters every one or two years and check for faults and leaks.
2. Ensure all windows are fitted with trickle vents to aid ventilation.
3. Install high quality whisper fans in kitchens and bathrooms, and make sure cooker hoods vent externally.
4. Do not dry clothes on radiators or heaters.
5. Check external brickwork and window frames for loose or missing mortar.
6. Check that unused chimneys are correctly capped.
7. Have plumbing and heating systems installed professionally. Accessing waste traps beneath sinks, baths, and showers should be easy. Bath tubs and shower trays should be sealed whilst weight is placed in them and left to dry.
8. Prevent waste water traps from becoming blocked by food or other solids not suited for them.