Seasonal Home Maintenance Tips: Caring for Plastics Year-Round

We have more plastic around our home than we think. From guttering, fascias and soffits outside to wall panels inside, PVC products are a popular choice for many homeowners. But how do you look after PVC to ensure it lasts and stays lovely? This blog aims to find out!

Guttering Maintenance

Winter

Cold temperatures can cause plastic guttering to become brittle, which can lead to cracks and holes developing. Keeping a watchful eye on your guttering will help you to identify any winter related issues before they develop into anything more serious. This will give you the chance to repair any damage rather than having to replace the entire guttering section.

Spring

Spring is the perfect time to give your guttering a deep clean. However, it is also a time when birds and other animals begin to build their nests – and guttering makes a very attractive potential home! So before you start cleaning, always check your guttering and down pipe for any nests. Empty, used nests can be removed, but do leave any nests which are still in use and then clean your guttering once any nests are finished with.

Summer

The sun can cause your guttering to fade or discolour, particularly if it is a darker colour. Whilst you can’t prevent this, you can monitor your guttering and keeping it clear of debris will help to reduce the chance of discolouration.

Autumn

Falling leaves, dirt and other debris can cause issues for your guttering. It can create blockages, which means water is unable to flow freely away from your home. This can lead to water overflowing on to walls and foundations, which can cause damage. If left, debris and dirt can become heavy which can cause guttering to sag and break. 

The simple way to prevent any damage during autumn is to keep your guttering clear of all debris. Regular maintenance will ensure your guttering continues to function correctly and protects your home.

Fascias Maintenance

Winter

As with guttering, cold, snow, and ice can cause plastic fascias to become brittle and crack. Regularly checking your fascias during these winter months will help you identify any problems early. 

Spring

As with other plastic features on your home, Spring is a good time to give your fascias a deep clean. Our step-by-step guide to cleaning your soffits and fascias is the ideal place to start. Whilst you’re cleaning, take the opportunity to inspect your fascia for any issues and either repair or replace the damaged section.

Summer

As with guttering, plastic fascia can become discoloured in strong heat, and whilst there is nothing you can do about this, keeping your fascia clean throughout summer will help to keep it looking its best.

Autumn

During the autumn months, dirt, debris and falling leaves can cause your fascia to become dirty. If left, this dirt can cause mould to develop, which creates black unsightly marks. Washing your fascia regularly throughout autumn will help to keep it clear of dirt and ensure it continues to look its best.

Soffits Maintenance

Your soffits will react very similarly to your fascias throughout the various times of the year. For example in Winter it may crack, in Summer it could become discoloured, and in Autumn dirt and debris can make it look unsightly and cause mould and mildew to develop. The answer is to maintain your soffits on a regular basis, giving it a deep clean once or twice a year to ensure it continues to both look lovely and protect your home.

Wall Panels Maintenance

Winter

During the winter months we tend to keep our windows closed and our heating on. In rooms such as the bathroom or kitchen where there is a lot of moisture, this can cause high levels of condensation which will settle on your wall panels and, if left, may create mould and mildew. Opening windows whilst having a shower or cooking will help to disperse excess moisture, and wiping your panels once you’ve finished will help to keep them clean and moisture free.

Spring

Wall panels are the perfect addition to your home in any season. During the Spring they do not require any special treatment but wiping them regularly will keep them clean and free from moisture.

Summer

Most wall panels will not be affected by strong sunlight during the summer months. However, if you do have a room with wall panels, which enjoys full sunlight during the day, you may wish to draw curtains or blinds to preserve the colour of your panels.

Autumn

Although wall panels are inside your home, open windows and doors can let in dirt and debris during autumn. If your wall panels are damp, this dirt can become stuck so it’s important to keep your wall panels clean throughout the autumn months – and luckily, this could not be easier, as they only need a wipe with a clean cloth to keep them looking like new.

Bathroom Wall Panels Maintenance

Bathroom wall panels should be looked after in the same way as wall panels. Wiping away excess moisture, using a fan or making sure the window is open whilst having a shower or bath, and regular cleaning will ensure that your bathroom wall panels continue to look beautiful and perform exceptionally.

Our Products at National Plastics Whether you’re looking for new guttering, soffits or fascias or would like to transform your home with new wall panels, National Plastics is the place to start. Call our expert friendly team today on 0800 22 77 77 to find out more.