DIY jobs Brits hate the most revealed including leaky taps and cleaning behind the fridge
THE most-postponed home maintenance jobs in British homes include servicing boilers, clearing gutters, and cleaning behind the fridge.
A poll of 2,000 homeowners revealed the top 20 overlooked tasks around the home, with replacing shower heads, draught-proofing doors and windows, and cleaning vents and fans also featuring on the list.
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It emerged more than one in 10 (12 per cent) think about these jobs on a daily basis – even if they rarely get around to actually doing them.
And 20 per cent admitted they care more about how their house looks than the maintenance below the surface.
Nearly a third (31 per cent) prioritise aesthetic tasks like painting walls or hanging pictures over functional ones like bleeding radiators or servicing boilers.
Jessica Rawstron, engineer at British Gas, which commissioned the research, said: 'Keeping on top of the little things around the house might not seem urgent, but it can save homeowners a lot of time, money, and stress in the long run.
'Summer can be a good time to catch up on home maintenance tasks that have been forgotten or delayed, with boiler servicing a prime example – especially before colder weather returns.
'Think of it as an MOT for your boiler – it helps identify and resolve any potential problems early, and by booking one in the summer you can have peace of mind that your heating is in full working order before you need it during the colder months.'
According to the research, two thirds of respondents would only take action on a home maintenance task if the problem became visible.
And 38 per cent of people who have had something go wrong around the home had been putting off fixing it for ages, only for it to then break completely – with 31 per cent of people who have put off a job admitting this left them with a bigger, costlier problem down the line.
The top reasons people put off these little jobs are lack of skills (27 per cent), the cost (26 per cent), and a lack of time (25 per cent).
But 21 per cent of those polled via OnePoll worry about making the issue worse, while 15 per cent have looked at the weather forecast and decided to wait for a different day.
British Gas has created a home maintenance checklist to give homeowners handy reminders for when tasks need doing throughout the year – whether that's the best time to bleed radiators or a date in the diary to sense check the thermostat settings and consider a smart tech upgrade.
Spokesperson Jessica added: 'A dripping tap or a patch of damp may seem minor now but left unchecked they can quickly turn into much bigger, and more expensive, problems.
'Regular maintenance not only protects your property but also helps preserve its value.
'Whether you own or rent, staying on top of small fixes is one of the simplest ways to avoid nasty surprises and keep your home running reliably and efficiently.
'With seasonal offers available, summer is a sensible time to make sure everything's in good working order before colder weather returns.'
Top 20 home maintenance jobs Brits put off
1.Cleaning gutters
2. Cleaning behind the fridge
3. Fixing a leaky tap
4. Fixing a squeaky door
5. Replacing a toilet seat
6. Servicing the boiler
7. Bleeding radiators
8. Installing a new tap
9. Cleaning vents and fans
10. Replacing kitchen appliances
11. Replacing a light bulb
12. Replacing a showerhead
13. Repairing a roof leak
14. Changing a door lock
15. Installing a doorbell
16. Installing curtain rods
17. Repairing plasterboard
18. Weatherproofing windows and doors
19. Unblocking a sink or toilet
20. Building a garden shed
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