24 October 2023 , 12:02
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Creaking doors (40%), lights flickering or dimming randomly (36%), and insects running around the house (26%), are some of the top property issues that leave Brits feeling spooked, research has found.
A poll of 2,000 adults found that almost a fifth (18%) have been creeped-out by floorboards creaking in their home, while 22% have experienced unexplained cold or draughty spots in an otherwise warm room.
The loft, the garage, and the spare bedroom were named the creepiest rooms in the house – with almost six in ten having seen or heard things around their homes that gave them an eerie feeling.
However, while almost three in ten (28%) are keen to flex their DIY muscles to fix some of these household issues, the same number (29%) are afraid they will make a mistake.
And one in ten (11%) are haunted by past DIY jobs they have previously messed up on – with 45% saying they lack the skills to sort out these repairs.
Shoppers rush to buy energy-saving blanket that keeps you warm from 1p per hour
But home improvement store B&Q says most of these spooky issues have easy and affordable DIY fixes (Min Jing/Getty Images)As such, the typical household has at least five DIY jobs that need completing – with 21% saying they do not have the necessary tools or equipment to tackle these tasks.
The research was commissioned by B&Q, whose spokesman said: “In the dead of night, a dripping tap can sound ominous, whilst a loose window flapping in the breeze can cast some scary shadows and loud noises.
“These haunting household issues often have easy and affordable fixes which many can implement at home – and now is the perfect time to get those DIY tasks sorted, and keep your home spook-free this Halloween.”
The B&Q study, carried out via OnePoll.com, also found that more than one in ten admitted to arguing with someone in their house about whether a spooky sound had a haunted origin, while 28% have been left baffled after finding a door or window open that they were convinced they’d closed.
Meanwhile, a further 28% also believe their homes feel spookier during the winter months – with 8% having had a guest comment on the eerie sights and sounds. It also emerged that 13% had no idea some issues around the home, like mouldy walls, could negatively impact their health.
TOP JOBS BRITS WOULD LOVE TO FIX AROUND THE HOME THAT GIVE THEM THE CREEPS:
- Flickering or dimming lights without explanation
- Unexplained cold spots or draughts in a warm room
- Dirty tile grouting
- Insects running around the house
- Cobwebbed lights
- Cobwebs in corners of the room
- Open doors or windows that you're sure you closed
- Inexplicable stains or marks on walls or ceilings
- Scratching or tapping sounds coming from within the walls
- Doors creaking open or slamming shut on their own
- Unexplained knocking on doors or windows
- Creaking floorboards
- Gurgling noises coming from your sink
- Gurgling noises coming from your radiators
- A dripping tap
B&Q's TOP TIPS TO MAKE YOUR HOME FEEL LESS SPOOKY:
- Tackling the draught: Fitting draught excluders to your doors and windows will keep warm air in and cold air out – meaning no more unexplained cold spots. Self-adhesive foam strips or draught excluders are an inexpensive and easy-to-apply solution.
- No more stained walls: Damp and mould, if left unchecked, can cause serious health issues, and leave unsightly stains on your walls or ceilings. Applying a good-quality mould removing treatment is a simple job, and gives the best chance of stopping the stains from returning. Once the surface is free of mould, and dry, it can be painted with a damp seal or stain-blocker paint, which will ensure that the staining does not bleed through the emulsion once completed.
- Fixing those floorboards: As time goes by, your floorboards might start to need some attention. If they've dried out or become loose, they could start to creak – whilst a split, warped, or broken floorboard may even need to be replaced completely. But keeping up with regular maintenance, such as taking old nails out of the floorboards, or sanding them back and revarnishing, are relatively easy tasks, if you have the right tools.
- Dirty tile grouting: Refreshing and cleaning dirty-looking tile grout is an easy, quick fix that can have a big impact on the appearance of your tiles. Minor staining and fungal growths can be removed with a specially-formulated grout cleaner.
- Creaking doors: Creaky doors might be caused by wear and tear, age, previous damp, or a build-up of paint layers over the years. Squeaking hinges and stiff locks can usually be solved by aerosol lubricant, either into the latch mechanism, or on the hinge pins.