TomThe days are getting shorter and the nights longer in the run up to Christmas, and with the cold weather come a number of problems you’ll be faced with over the next few months. But as an early Christmas present we’ve given you some of the best tips to ensure your home is ready to battle the winter.
You won’t necessarily need to take on each of the following, but it’s well worth giving serious consideration to most. The last thing you want is to be caught out in the cold months ahead.
Home insurance
It’s this time of year that your property is likely to suffer from some kind of damage. This is generally related to extreme weather conditions, such as the wet and cold. So what’s important is to ensure your home insurance is up-to-date and includes any winter-related damage.
Image from pinterestInsulate your pipes
One of the more common problems in winter is frozen and burst pipes. This is caused by contents in the pipe freezing and expanding. A solution is easy enough though, and you can purchase pipe lagging to keep them warm throughout the winter. Not only will it prevent pipes freezing, but it’ll reduce heat loss too.
Image from pinterestBoiler service
Over the winter your boiler will be working at its hardest, so make sure yours is ready for the cold weather with a boiler service. It’s advised to have a service at least once a year and this ensures any potential faults are picked up before becoming a problem. If you have an old and inefficient boiler then even consider upgrading to a modern replacement, which can save as much as £310 a year.
Image from pinterestInsulation
According to the experts, as much as 40% of the heat you produce can be lost to inefficiency in the home. Heat is lost in a number of ways, but more commonly the roof, walls and windows. To tackle this, consider insulation such as loft lagging and wall cavity insulation. Payback is in as little as two years, providing you with decades of savings.
Image from pinterestBleed the radiators
Do your radiators feel colder at the top than the bottom? If so it’s highly likely they’ll need bleeding because trapped air is preventing them from heating up sufficiently. Make sure you know what you’re doing and once the air has been released the whole radiator will heat as normal.
Switch energy supplier
You’ve undoubtedly seen the news of energy prices rising again, so if you feel you’re paying over the odds for energy this winter why not switch supplier. Some companies are offering low tariffs which are guaranteed for more than two years so you can instantly cut your bills. And there’s no hassle on your part as the supplier will take care of all the finer details.
Image from pinterestGuttering
Over the winter months it’s important not to forget about your guttering. Leaves and twigs will be falling off the trees and could clog your gutter, causing a blockage. If this blockage is left then leaks or even structural damage could occur. So always make sure your guttering is debris free before the winter.
Image from pinterestTrim the trees
In a related issue to your guttering, why not minimise the problem of blockages by having the trees around your home trimmed back. After all, by doing this you’ll be able to reduce the foliage that drops into the gutter
Image from pinterestDraught proofing
Got a cold spot in your home? Feel a draught on a cold winter’s night? Then deal with this problem and ensure your home is sufficiently draught proofed. This will make you more comfortable and help to reduce heat loss and your bills too. The windows and doors are prime suspects for draughts so use strips around the edges.
Image from pinterest
Nathan
