Our Responsibilities
North Star is responsible for looking after:
- Drains, gutters, and external pipes
- The roof
- Outside walls and doors
- Windows, frames, catches, cords, and sills (including external painting)
- Chimneys, chimney stacks, and flues
- Paths, steps, and other ways of getting to your home
- Boundary walls and fences
- Garages and outside stores
- Defective plasterwork
- Repairs and installations
How you can help:
Tree and Bush Roots in Walls
Look out for cracks and small plants growing out of your yard walls and eliminate them, even if you think they're too small to make an impact. You can do so by:
- Pulling by Hand: Manually pull out small plants, ensuring you remove the whole plant, including the root, to prevent regrowth.
- Spraying with Vinegar: Spray undiluted vinegar (preferably cider vinegar) on leaves and stems. Be careful to avoid any plants you do not want to kill.
- Weed Killers: Use systemic weed killers to eliminate plants.
Look for new growth and tackle it as soon as you spot it. A small plant can eventually become a big problem, making the wall structurally unsound and a potential hazard. This would mean we would have to demolish and replace, which is a very costly job.
If the plant is too large for you to handle or you need advice, contact us.
DIY Work
Please seek North Star's permission if you plan to carry out any substantial DIY work to ensure it will be safe and not damage your home. This includes work such as building walls or repaving your driveway. Get in touch before beginning any planned work so that we can advise you further.
Cracked Yard Bases
If yard bases aren't maintained, cracks can form and vegetation can grow, causing damage. To avoid this:
- Kill weeds as soon as you see them.
- Regularly sweep your yard to keep it clear of fallen leaves and rubbish.
- Report large cracks to North Star.