Now that spring appears to be here for most of us in the UK, it is time to see what damage the winter may have done to the house and garden and do any repairs needed.
Our project on spring maintenance checks gives advice on various tasks you should consider at this time of year. These include checking your fences for any damage and repairing or replacing where needed. There is more information on how to erect close board fencing here. Also check sheds and outbuildings and make sure that any roof felting is good and repair if necessary. Our project on building a shed has useful info on felting a shed roof.
Guttering should be cleared out and any replacements to damaged guttering done. It is a good time of year to clean paths and patios to remove dirt and algae which can build up over the winter, using patio cleaner. This can be done using a pressure washer if it is a large area.
While the weather is fine it is a good time to do any repointing of brickwork and any exterior decorating needed, so check all paintwork and any varnish on doors and window frames which might need sanding down and repainted.
If you have decking in your garden, we have a couple of very useful projects – firstly on power washing your decking to remove the lichen and algae which can build up over time, and then treating timber decking with a wood preserver or oil so that it lasts.
An article in the press has sparked some debate on how sheds affect us but health experts have stated that there is evidence to suggest that it could have a positive effect on mens health.
Research done by a professor in Mens Health from Leeds Metropolitan University is due out today but he thinks that ‘pottering’ in a shed can relieve stress and lower blood pressure. In fact, so many people back this idea that groups are springing up around the country offering communal ”Men’s Sheds’ so that men can get together, make things, and share and maybe even learn new skills.
The idea originates from Australia but the idea is spreading over here with one such initiative having been set up by the charity Age UK and Men’s Health Forum. Focussing on the over 55′s, it is called ‘Men in Sheds’ and it gives men the opportunity to get together, do some DIY and drink cups of tea and chat! Sounds great to us!
If you would like advice on how to build your own shed, we have a project with step-by-step instructions and also a project on building a shed base which gives advice on constructing a concrete base for your shed.
Permaroof UK have just launched their new product range of Permaroof In A Box®. The first range is for shed roofs and the benefits are that it comes with a lifetime membrane guaranatee, and the kit contains everything you need to water proof your shed roof, all packaged neatly into one box.
The system comprises of a one piece epdm rubber membrane that is adhered to a timber surface using a safe water based adhesive. No joints to fail, and totally UV stable.
They come in 5 different sizes that should cater for most popular sheds but they also offer bespoke orders for larger sizes.
Also coming soon is a range of Permaroof In A Box® for domestic flat roofs, again in 5 different sizes – single garage, double garage, kitchen extensions etc and all packaged up so there is no working out what materials are needed.
All kits come with full easy fitting instructions. For more information, take a look at our Building a Shed project which includes Roof in a Box fitting instructions, and you can click through to purchase from Permaroof UK.
Guttering should be cleared out and any replacements to damaged guttering done. It is a good time of year to clean paths and patios to remove dirt and algae which can build up over the winter, using patio cleaner. This can be done using a pressure washer if it is a large area.
The system comprises of a one piece epdm rubber membrane that is adhered to a timber surface using a safe water based adhesive. No joints to fail, and totally UV stable.