SPRING is the ideal time to stand back and take a good long, objective look at your house, according to Strutt & Parker.

Living in a property can blind you to its problems. Now is the time to assess what needs doing, and do something about it.

Simon Backhouse, of Strutt & Parker in Canterbury, said: "Choose a fine day, with good sunlight, so you can see what's going on. Start outside and look first at the roof. You're looking for slipped or missing slates or tiles. See if there is any movement in the line of the roof, and how the chimney stacks look. Is there any vegetation growing, do they need pointing, do the chimney pots look solid?"

Keeping gutters in good shape is also important. "Rain draining from gutters onto the house can lead to serious problems. Leaves or debris should be cleared from gutters, and the supports need to be doing their job correctly. Old gutters can twist and distort. If they don't allow water to flow towards the down pipes they will overflow onto the walls."

Damage can be caused by blocked down pipes, so check they aren't obstructed, and that junctions in the down pipes meet properly. Check for corrosion in old cast iron piping, and where pipes empty into drains, clear away rubbish from the grids, to allow rain water to flow away unhindered.

Walk round your property to look at all brick or stonework, and the woodwork. Check for damage or wear, and examine the pointing (the mortar between the bricks), which should be solid. If it is in a crumbly state, it will need expert attention.

Keep vents into cellars or foundations clear of debris so that air is able to circulate freely, and prevent damp. Check for rot in window and door frames. Protect wood against damp with good quality paint, applied correctly.

Before you go inside, look at walls, fences, outbuildings, drives and paths, as maintaining them in good repair goes towards the general maintenance of your property.

Once inside the house, Simon Backhouse says: "If you can gain access below the floorboards, look for damp or any signs of decay. Make sure that air can circulate freely between the outside and the inside. Look in the roof, checking for water penetration or any other damage.”