Damp might sound like a dry subject, but it’s actually something that can drain a household’s resources. Left untreated it causes a range of problems from serious structural damage to health concerns.

This year the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings annual National Maintenance Week, 18 Nov – 25 Nov, will be focusing on damp and showing how thousands of pounds can be saved by householders, local authorities and housing associations by taking informed steps to fight it.

Along with being daunted by the thought of maintenance, many householders put off this vital work seeing it as uninspiring or perhaps uninteresting. SPAB secretary Philip Venning said, "People can potentially save hundreds of pounds each year just by tackling a few simple tasks – and, in very real terms, that’s money to spend on interiors and accessories."

Dealing effectively and appropriately with damp is a key maintenance problem and this year SPAB is working with national expert Mike Parrett, also known as the ‘damp-doctor’, to highlight the issue.

Mike Parrett’s pioneering work to dispel some of the myths and misunderstandings about damp, was featured in the hard-hitting BBC2 television series Raising the Roof . His approach is now accepted as established practice with his co-authored book Diagnosing Damp published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

As part of National Maintenance Week, SPAB, in association with Mike Parrett, will be releasing a resourceful and practical DVD presenting Mike’s top 10 tips to prevent dampness in the home and encourage wising up to bad practice.

The prime aim of National Maintenance Week is to provide homeowners throughout the UK, not just those involved with older buildings, with practical tips and advice on maintaining their properties in preparation for winter.

Water damage is a particular concern – especially as the winter rains approach. The annual cleaning of gutters and drains can be much cheaper and less inconvenient than having to cope with a serious outbreak of dry rot in timber roof trusses following years of neglect.

National Gutters Day (Friday 25 November 2005) is a timely reminder to homeowners that just a few minutes spent clearing weeds and debris, or just a few pounds spent to mend a leaky gutter can save many hundreds, and possibly thousands of pounds!

Channel 4 Presenter, Sarah Beeny said, "Lack of maintenance is one of the surest ways to decrease the value of your property and put your biggest investment at risk.....It costs little to do and avoids much more expensive problems in future."

To find out more visit www.maintainyourbuilding.org.uk and www.buildingpathology.net