Five Point Plan To Stop The Rot Setting In for National Maintenance Week

Nov. 18, 2008 - PRLog -- With National Maintenance Week looming, the Property Care Association – the trade body for building preservation in the UK – has drawn up a list of easy steps householders in can take to stop winter taking its toll on their homes.

Running from 21 to 28 November, National Maintenance Week is an annual event organised by The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

It is designed to remind anyone who looks after a building - regardless of its age, type or purpose - of the simple, achievable steps they can take to prepare for the worst that winter can bring.
 
In line with the campaign, The Property Care Association (PCA), which represents the structural waterproofing, wood preservation, damp-proofing, flood remediation and structural maintenance sectors, has drawn up a five-point check list of the cost effective things property owners can do to stop future problems in their tracks.

1.   Drains - Ensure drains remain clear of leaves and other debris, to enable water to escape from a building quickly, particularly during heavy downpours.

2.   Roofs – Check lead-work and roof tiling is in good condition and able to withstand the wind as well as the rain.  If anything is loose or worn, water will find its way in.

3.   Gutters – Ensure these are free from moss, leaves and other debris - and all properly connected up - to give water a fast exit from the building.

4.   Pointing – Monitor a property’s pointing and rendering regularly, as this is another area that can cause problems.

5.   Chimneys – Poor flashing on chimney breasts can let water stream into a property – this is a common problem area.


Yasmin Chopin, chief executive of the PCA, said: “By taking these simple steps to preserve and protect property against the nation’s weather, homeowners could ward off the need for more extensive repairs in the future.

“This can include dry rot, which can represent a serious blight to any property. Decay can start in any timbers that have become damp and, in the right conditions, can spread rapidly leading to serious structural failure of the affected wood.  

“The key is to inspect regularly and carry out timely repairs to prevent water entering the building. Now is a good time to identify – and act upon - any potential problems.

“If in doubt, contact a member of the PCA, to get the problem accurately diagnosed.”

The PCA, formerly the BWPDA, is a member of TrustMark the scheme supported by Government, to help property owners find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople to make home improvements.

More details about National Maintenance Week are available at http://www.maintainyourbuilding.org.uk


The Property Care Association
http://www.property-care.org
Telephone 0870 1216737

ENDS


Notes To Editors

The Property Care Association (PCA) has been in existence for four years as part of the British Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Association (BWPDA) but in 2006 officially became an independent association, along with the Wood Protection Association.

The new Associations have been created to concentrate on their own areas of expertise – namely for the Property Care Association damp-proofing and timber preservation, structural waterproofing and structural maintenance.

PCA contractors are authorised to use the Association’s new logo, and this can be seen in directories such as Yellow Pages, newspapers and other publications for identification to potential customers.

Although a relatively new trade body, the Property Care Association has inherited the stability and professional strengths of the BWPDA and its 75 year history.

This includes the choice of a long-term FSA regulated specialist insurance policy, and a UK-wide list of contractor members who are all carefully vetted before being awarded membership - and are then subject to rigorous auditing procedures once admitted to the Association.


Press release issued by Jane Shepherd of Shepherd PR Limited, 01538 308685, mobile 07985 129315.