No matter what we try to do to avoid it, some of our furniture and belongings will show signs of being worn eventually!
But there are a few things you can do to help keep wear and tear at bay in your home.
Does home insurance cover wear and tear?
Wear and tear can be caused by age, gradual deterioration (like faded paint or worn carpets), or even environmental factors like harsh weather, humidity and sunlight.
Most home insurance policies won’t cover you for wear and tear – which is why it’s good to know what you can do to prevent it.
If your home or belongings are damaged for an insured reason, you may still be able to claim for it – even if it’s showing some signs of wear and tear.
For example, if your sofa is a bit old and worn but it’s damaged by a flood.
7 tips for preventing wear and tear
Stay on top of wear and tear in your home with these top tips.
Regular cleaning
Make sure your home is regularly cleaned. Dust, dirt and pet hair can embed into flooring cracks or carpet fibres and wear them down over time.
Manage mould quickly
If you spot any damp or mould in your home, it’s important to deal with it early to stop it spreading. Check out our guide on how to prevent mould.
Investigate leaks straight away
Don’t wait for leaks to become a bigger problem. If you find a leak in your home, check for the source of it and call a professional straight away.
Choose the right materials
Don't rely on cheap, short-term fixes for wear and tear in your home. Invest in high quality construction materials to avoid expensive repairs down the road.
Use furniture covers
If you’re worried about wear and tear, it might be worth investing in furniture covers to keep the fabric clean and fresh.
Service your appliances
Check your boiler and white goods regularly for leaks, drips or overheating to avoid any last-minute repair bills. Make sure you follow the maintenance instructions from your manufacturer.
Check out our home maintenance planner to see how often you should service your appliances.
Watch out for paws and teeth!
Cats and dogs love to chew and scratch. Give them proper toys and scratch posts – and repair or cover any damage quickly to stop it from getting worse.
Wear and tear maintenance for every season
We’ve put together a handy seasonal checklist to reduce wear and tear around your home all year-round.
Spring
- Check for roof damage – look for damage caused by the cold winter, like loose roof tiles or chimney cracks. Find out how to spot the signs of damage in our roof maintenance guide.
- Clear your gutters and drains – clear out any leaves or clutter to avoid future blockages and keep your drains running smoothly. Read our guide on how to unblock a drain.
- Check your windows – look for loose seals, leaks, draughts and stubborn condensation around your windows.
- Check your doors and locks – if your doors or locks start to stick or feel loose, it might be time to service or replace them.
- Look for hidden damp – search for sneaky damp spots in your house, these could be hidden behind furniture or even at the back of your cupboards.
Summer
- Check outdoor woodwork – summer is a great time to repair any woodwork outside of your house like loose or cracked garden fences.
- Get the gardening gloves out – keep an eye on outdoor plants like ivy or Japanese knotweed, these fast-growers can damage your walls and even cause structural issues.
- Service your boiler – it’s a good idea to get your boiler serviced in the summer to avoid any wintertime emergencies when you need it most!
Autumn
- Bleed your radiators – prepare for winter by bleeding your radiators to keep them running efficiently.
- Cover up garden furniture – cover up or store away your garden furniture to avoid damage caused by cold or wet weather, like rust.
- Clear fallen leaves – clean up any fallen leaves from your garden, this will help keep your grass healthy and even reduce the risk of pest infestations.
- Insulate external pipes - insulating outdoor pipes before the winter can help prevent them from freezing and even bursting in the cold. Read more about protecting your home from freezing weather.
Winter
- Check fences and trees for storm damage – fix any loose fence panels and remove any hazardous tree branches caused by harsh weather. Read our guide on how to prepare your home for a storm.
- Wipe away condensation – look for water or mould around window corners. If it’s cold, crack them open slightly to let in a little fresh air and reduce moisture.
- Keep your home ventilated – make sure your kitchen and bathroom fans work, open windows when cooking, and consider a dehumidifier if your home is older or less insulated.
