Britons 'should not put off maintenance work'

Article date : 17/09/2009

Written by Jasper Cullen

Homeowners have been advised not to out off any routine maintenance work they may need as this could result in them paying more further down the line for repairs or replacement appliances.

Recent research by HomeServe has found that that 1.67 million people have seen leaks from their flats cause damage to neighbouring properties and vice versa in the last five years.

The average cost of repairs is around £1,933 per flat and homeowners have been forced to pay over £400 million every year on repairing damage caused by leaking water pipes.

William Davies, managing director at Aspect Maintenance, said: "A long-term leak can take months or even years to show itself and, by then, it is likely to have done significant damage."

Britons can reduce the risk of their pipe work leaking by ensuring their central heating systems come on regularly throughout the winter.

Such action can mean that water in pipes is less likely to freeze and cause the fixtures to burst.

Heating controls may be useful in ensuring that central heating systems come on regularly.

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