Getting Prepared for Winter

Winter Preparation for your Home

Snow, Ice, frost and the general Autumn – Winter conditions can have devastating or disastrous consequences on your home. Preparing early can save you money and reduce the stress and pressures trying to keep you and your family safe and warm.

You shouldn’t just think about the inside of your home. Cleaning out your gutters will help melting snow and rain flow freely, preventing long term damage. You should also spend time clearing tree debris and leaves. Cutting back your trees, will save branches falling and will reduce the chances of your gutters getting clogged further.

You need to consider the inside of your home, have you checked the boiler is functioning correctly and your heating is working? We always leave the heating until the cold weather starts to take hold. When you discover the system isn’t working and need to call out a plumber or heating specialist, they are either too busy or charge out of hours service rates, costing you a small fortune. Be prepared and start your heating system now. Let it run for 10 minutes to warm the radiators and turn it off once you are satisfied. Alternatively, check when your boiler was last serviced. Some insurers have clauses within their wording/Schedules which may result in a claim not being paid, if the average temperature within your home is not maintained. You should refer to your policy wording or call your insurance adviser for more information.

You should also check the insulation in the attic. Heat rises and can quickly disperse if you have inadequate or no insulation. You need to make sure your home is insulated properly. It can be an unwanted expense but will save you money in the long term. Search online for the best option. During certain times of the year, the government have promotions, using authorised firms to install various types of insulation at next to no cost.

Other areas to check:

Window Seals – Can you feel air flowing in? If you can, you need to get the unwanted gaps filled.

Pipes – Can burst when the temperature falls below ‘0’. Have you fitted insulation to prevent leaks or breaks?

Cellars – Check for signs of damp. You may need to consult a specialist as damp can spread.