Spring is finally here and for park homeowners, it's the perfect time to carry out some essential maintenance tasks after a long winter.
In this article, we’ll share some tips on exterior maintenance, garden care, and ways to give your park home interior a much-needed spring uplift.
Exterior Revitalisation
Inspect your roof
Water ingress, which is the process of water penetrating your property, can lead to mould, damp and more serious structural damage, which may be expensive to repair.
To prevent this, inspect your park home's roof and siding at least twice a year, particularly in spring and autumn. This ensures any damage encountered during the winter months, or during periods of adverse weather, is promptly addressed. As we are seeing a rise in storm events in the UK, look for signs of broken or missing tiles, and other gaps that could potentially cause a leak. Strong winds can also play their part in weakening your roof structure, while materials such as slate can crack during cold snaps. All of which increase the risk of water ingress.
If undetected moss can also damage your roof tiles. Moss can generally be removed with specialist products and a bush or broom. It may be better to leave this task to the professionals, who are used to climbing ladders.
Clean your gutters
Neglected gutters can be problematic, especially after they’ve collected a winter's worth of debris. Leaves, twigs and moss can cause clogging, which may lead to inefficient drainage and potentially to water pooling in and around your park home.
Let’s not forget about loose or damaged sections of guttering which, if overlooked, can present little known consequences. As with damaged roofs, broken gutters can lead to major leaks, cracks in your walls and siding. A little attention now can save you a lot of hassle down the road, as many insurance policies won’t cover you for this kind of damage.
Window and door checkup
Sealing gaps around windows and doors is a small investment, which can pay off in multiple ways.
Filling in gaps can help to prevent unnecessary energy consumption, by keeping warmth in and drafts out, making your home more energy efficient. You may even notice a reduction in your energy bill costs.
Garden and outdoor spaces
Landscape renewal
Consider undertaking a planting schedule, introducing flora that contributes not only to visual aesthetics but are also easy to maintain, throughout the year. Whether you choose vibrant flowers or strategically positioned shrubbery, the goal is to make the area around your park home feel more alive and vibrant. Pruning existing plants and shrubbery also helps to keep things tidy.
Lawn Care
Regular mowing and lawn maintenance are key to a well-kept garden. Regular mowing not only keeps the grass at a manageable length but also makes your garden more aesthetically pleasing. It's one of the easiest steps you can take to improving your home's exterior. A simple yet effective solution.
Take a stroll across your lawn and look for any areas that may need a bit more TLC. Whether it's thinning grass or patches that could use some reseeding, March to early May is the ideal time to do this. Overseeding your lawn can also improve its colour and reduce moss and weed invasion.
Weed Whispers
Annual weeds germinate from seeds spread during spring, which come into full bloom during the summer, then wither and die over winter. Because of this lifecycle, spring is the best time to try and get ahead of the situation.
The most effective form of weed control is prevention, so targeting your garden with weedkiller at this time of year can stop weeds from fully sprouting over the summer. The use of pre-emergent or selective herbicides designed for use on lawns can help to keep clover, dandelions, daisies, and the like at bay, without killing the grass. Use a non-selective or broad-spectrum herbicide to target larger areas of your garden like paths and driveways.
Pest prevention
Pests can quickly become unwelcome guests causing damage to your park home and generally making you feel uneasy. To keep your home pest-free, it's essential to consider the following prevention measures:
Regular Exterior Inspections: Regularly inspect the exterior of your park home for signs of pest activity. Look for cracks, holes, or gaps where rodents, bats and insects could enter. Pay attention to areas around windows, doors, vents, and utility openings. Seal gaps around doors and windows with weather-stripping or caulking to block entry points for insects and rodents. The use of mesh screens on windows and vents to keep flying insects out while allowing airflow, during the warmer months. If you notice any signs of pest presence, take appropriate action to address the issue.
Implement Pest-Resistant Plants: It’s been said that plants, such as lavender, marigolds, and mint, naturally repel pests like mosquitoes, flies, and ants. By incorporating these plants into your outdoor space, you can help deter insects from setting up camp near your home.
Maintain Cleanliness: Keep your park home and surrounding area clean and tidy to discourage pests from taking up residence. Keep rubbish in a dustbin, regularly clear debris, and avoid leaving pet food outside where it can attract pests.
Schedule Professional Pest Control: If your home has been susceptible to pest problems in the past, consider hiring a professional pest control service to inspect your park home and implement preventive treatments, as needed. Professional pest control technicians have the expertise and resources to identify potential pest problems and develop customised solutions to protect your home.
Interior Refresh
Deep cleaning
Undertaking a deep spring clean in your park home is not just a tradition, but a vital step in maintaining a healthy and comfortable living environment.
Homes accumulate dust, dirt, and debris, especially in hard-to-reach areas. A thorough clean removes this build-up, reducing the risk of allergens and respiratory irritants lingering in your home. Especially vital for those with Asthma or other respiratory conditions.
The winter months often bring with them dampness and condensation, creating an environment conducive to mould and mildew growth. Deep cleaning your park home in the spring allows you to identify and address any areas affected by mould or mildew, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and areas with poor ventilation. Removing mould and mildew not only improves air quality but also helps prevent structural damage and potential health issues.
During the winter months, indoor air quality can be affected by reduced ventilation and the accumulation of dust, pet dander, and other pollutants. Deep cleaning includes tasks such as vacuuming carpets, dusting surfaces, and washing curtains and upholstery, all of which contribute to improving indoor air quality. Additionally, checking and replacing air filters in ventilation systems ensures that your home's air circulation remains clean and efficient.
Check for water leaks
While water damage can occur at any time of year, cold, winter weather can contribute to leaks and other pipe related issues. It’s important to inspect plumbing fixtures such as pipework, showers, taps and toilets during the winter months, as even small trickles of water can lead to frozen and burst pipes and persistent water damage. Promptly addressing leaks prevents potential structural damage and maintains the integrity of your park home.
Spring maintenance is the foundation for a safe and comfortable park home. By following these simple steps, you're not just maintaining it; you're investing in the longevity of your home and your wellbeing.
We’ve been arranging insurance for park homeowners for more than three decades, so we understand what’s important to you. Our park home insurance policy includes home emergency cover* as standard which can help you in situations such as:
- Bursting or sudden leakage of water pipes within your home, or failure of your domestic hot water heating
- Complete failure of your central heating system, involving a boiler or warm air unit
- Damage to, or mechanical failure of, the only accessible toilet or cistern in your home, which results in complete loss of function
- Failure of your mains services for which you are legally responsible
- Failure of, or damage to, underground drains or sewers
To discover more key features of our park home cover, visit https://www.lifesure.co.uk/personal-insurance/park-home-insurance or speak to one of our agents on 01480 402 460.
Footnote: *Home emergency cover is arranged by Strategic Insurance Services Limited and is underwritten by Collinson Insurance. Collinson Insurance is a trading name of Astrenska Insurance Limited.
Disclaimer: The sole purpose of this article is to provide guidance on the issues covered. This article is not intended to give legal advice, and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon. It should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and/or market practice in this area. We make no claims as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein or in the links which were live at the date of publication. You should not act upon (or should refrain from acting upon) information in this publication without first seeking specific legal and/or specialist advice. Lifesure Group Limited trading as Lifesure and Lifesure Insurance Broker accepts no liability for any inaccuracy accepts no liability for any inaccuracy, omission or mistake in this publication, nor will we be responsible for any loss which may be suffered as a result of any person relying on the information contained herein.
