Check the Rubber Gaskets and Seals for Wear and Tear

The autumn and winter weather can also wreak havoc on smaller conservatory design features. This is especially true of the seals and rubber gaskets. Wet weather can cause sealant erosion over time. Not paying specific attention to the seals and rubber gaskets can compromise the weatherproofing, resulting in an interior leak which, if left unattended to, can cause significant interior damage.

It’s important that, throughout the autumn and winter seasons, homeowners pay attention to checking – and cleaning where necessary – the rubber gaskets and seals. Should you need to find replacements, seals and gaskets, they can be sourced from most all hardware and DIY shops. If shopping online, Screwfix has a selection to choose from.

Alternatively, there are several specialist online retailers which offer a range of seals and gaskets from you to choose from. By doing a little research, you’re sure to find the right seals and gaskets for your conservatory.

Oil the Hinges and Handles

Conservatory hinges and handles do require a degree of upkeep the prevent them from corroding over time. Keeping hinges and handles clean in the winter months is essential – especially when the wet and icy winter weather sets in.

Hinges and handles can easily rust if appropriate aftercare isn’t completed. This prompts security concerns and can even result in locking mechanisms becoming redundant. However, spraying WD40 through the keyhole and along the hinges will penetrate deep into lock and help to maintain the handle mechanism.

It’s important that you treat conservatory hinges and handles throughout the winter. You won’t need to liberally apply WD40 to hinges and handles every week, but most experts recommend that you treat them at least twice a year. So, if it’s been years since you have thought about the aftercare of your hinges and handles, this autumn season could well be the time to grab that can of WD40 from the garage and get to work oiling the hinges and handles.

If, having scoured the garage and garden shed, you haven’t a can of WD40, don’t worry! Local DIY and hardware stores stock WD40 and other lubricants. When treating conservatory hinges and handles, a liberal amount of 3 in 1 oil is just as effective as WD40.

However, when applying, try to make sure that the lubricant doesn’t drip onto the paintwork. If you spot any residue, immediately clean it up with a damp cloth. If left, the paintwork will become stained.

Touch Up Any Paintwork

The start of September is a great time of year to address any flaky paintwork on the windowsills – if you’re not in the middle of a deluge of rainfall. Whilst it’s dry, take the opportunity to protect any paintwork on the windowsills and doors by adding a touch of paint.

Exposed wooden windowsills can become more than a nuisance in the winter months. If left untreated, the wet weather can cause a larger issue – wood rot. Windowsill and window frame rot is more common than you might think. As unsightly as it is, rot can cause long-term headaches – and be costly.

Whereas most homeowners are aware that periodic painting and treatment of windowsills is all part of responsible home care, lesser known is the frequency that homeowners need to pay attention to windowsills.

Any wood trim that sticks out further from the siding, is close to the ground, in an area vulnerable to splashback, or has flat surfaces will need a little extra TLC. Why? These areas are more likely to encounter frequent splashback.

In the event of any visible damage, these areas should be immediately addressed. Homeowners are advised to remove signs of wood rotting and repaint the area. Cracked paint or exposed wood rot is a sign that the wood will need to be treated – and without delay!

Local tradesman or DIY specialists should have the expertise to effectively treat wood rot. They will typically survey the damage and provide you with a quotation. Conservatories with conspicuously enlarged window sills are particularly at risk of splashback, and hence, developing rot. Should you spot any noticeable cracked or flaky paintwork, then it’s the time to call in a tradesman.

Inspect and Repair the Roof

Let’s be honest, how often do we get the ladders out and inspect the roofing of our home? Unless there’s an obvious leak with water dripping indoors, we’re guessing not all that often. However, regular checking of the roof structure at the end of the summer or very start of the autumn season is essential.

Heavy, consistent snow or rainfall, weeks or even months of ice and low temperatures can put strain on the roofing structure – which left unaddressed for prolonged periods of time can compromise the structural integrity of a conservatory roof.

Poor weather conditions can damage conservatory roof seals, decorative elements and roof panels. If panels become cracked or damaged, this can be detrimental to the guttering which, as we’ve already noted, can cause leaks and escalating damage.

A compromised roofing structural integrity is a serious safety issue. It’s imperative that homeowners routinely inspect the roof throughout the long autumn and winter months. Should you spot any issues, these will need to be repaired as soon as possible.

Take Care of the Timber

As we’ve previously mentioned, touching up paintwork and identifying rot is paramount at the start of the autumn and winter seasons. However, if you have a timber conservatory, ensuring the wood is healthy and protected throughout the autumn and winter seasons is an absolute must.

Timber conservatories should be treated regularly. In addition to regularly varnishing and painting the timber, homeowners should always bear the following in mind:

Effectively treating timber will not just protect your conservatory by stopping water penetration, but reduce any potential damage caused by UV light. The potential damage UV rays can cause is reduced in the winter – but the sun still shines, especially at the start of September. Prolonged exposure to UV light without sufficient treatment will compromise conservatory timber.

A good tip for homeowners is to use microporous paint to dress their exterior timber. Microporous paint allows excess moisture to escape, which means that it won’t be trapped and cause rot. If you’re unsure of which paint to use, your local hardware shop should be able to advise you which paints are microporous.

Don’t Use a Pressure Washer

Despite the seemingly quick, easy and thorough wash that pressure washers afford, it’s not the best idea to use a pressure washer to clean your conservatory.

Conservatories are designed to withstand steady consistent rainfall. They’re not designed to withstand extreme blasts of water.

Now we’re not saying that by using a pressure washer you’ll destroy your conservatory – far from it – but consistently using a pressure washer can damage and weaken seals, causing leaks. So, as tempting as it may be to direct a strong blast of water around your conservatory, casting leaves and muck into the wind, this is hardly effective for woodwork, brickwork or UPVC cleaning Stockport.

Windows and Double-Glazing

If windows or double-glazing becomes misty or brown, this is a sure sign that they’re in need of replacing. Keeping your conservatory – and home for that matter – well insulated in the cold winter months is an absolute must.

The good news is that conservatory windows and double-glazing can be easily replaced. If you’re tired of those unsightly or discoloured marks clouding the view from your conservatory, the start of September is a great time to replace the windows – and it will ensure that your conservatory is well-protected throughout the seasons.

Just Clean conservatory cleaning Stockport can completely remove those discoloured glazing, protecting your conservatory and allowing you to enjoy the view from your windows all year round.

Check for Mould and Damp

As with any area in the home, mould and damp can form on conservatories. At the climax of the summer – especially a hot and wet one – homeowners should check for mould and damp.

Mould is caused by condensation in the air, which then settles on flat surfaces inside your home. Often caused by poor ventilation or a significant temperature change, some conservatories are more at risk of mould and damp forming than others. Direct natural sunlight will, obviously, influence whether mould forms inside conservatories, but so too is a lack of poor ventilation.

To prevent mould or damp, homeowners should check and improve the airflow inside the conservatory and try to maintain an even temperature. If identified, any mould should be treated as any airborne spores are a hazard to your health.

Installing double glazing will help to reduce condensation and moisture. The inner glass pane will be considerably warmer than the outer pane. This will act as a heat barrier, reducing the likelihood of condensation forming.

Homeowners can also use a dehumidifier to control the amount of condensation inside the conservatory. A leak in the roof, window or joint can also cause dampness inside the conservatory. If you can’t find the cause of dampness, there may be an underlining issue with the conservatory. If this is the case, homeowners will need to contact a conservatory repair specialist.

So, as you can see, there is a wealth of different maintenance activities for anyone with a conservatory to engage in come the autumn and winter months.

Now that the summer is officially over and we’re all staring down the prospect of months without bright, sunny weather, it’s important that any conservatory maintenance tasks are carried out, and issues uncovered address.

By putting a small amount of effort in now, you could potentially save yourself hundreds – if not thousands of pounds in the future. And – at the very least – you’ll surely be able to gain some much-needed peace of mind that your conservatory is well-protected in the winter months to come.

Just Clean Property Care know how to care for your conservatory. As a reputable conservatory cleaning Stockport company, we help homeowners enjoy their conservatories, not just in the summer but all year round. To find out more about us, or receive a FREE QUOTE, call us TODAY on: 01925 223 547.