The winter months and the temperatures and conditions that come with it can cause a fair bit of trouble to your home. Whether you live in a flat, semi-detached, terrace or detached property, there are a number of different ways in which the weather may cause you trouble.
The key thing to keep in mind is to be prepared. Homes, houses and properties in the UK, treated and maintained correctly are very resilient and are built to last and endure through all seasons of the year and to withstand all that Mother Nature throws at them.
From damp, to frozen pipes, to leaks and beyond, it is important you do all you can before the weather becomes bitterly cold and uncomfortable. That way you will ensure that you, your family and your property are best placed to withstand and endure these winter months.
By following some quick and often easy and economical tips you can ensure that you keep any repair and maintenance bills to a minimum and that you aren’t caught out at the coldest times of year.
Exterior Considerations for your Property
From keeping the seals of the windows intact to ensuring you don’t get any leaks, there is quite a lot that can be done that will make sure your property is well sealed and protected from the elements this winter.
Insulating Your Home – Loft insulation and cavity wall insulation are two popular ways to make sure that your property keeps as much heat as possible inside, making your home more energy efficient. You can insulate different part of your house including loft conversions or ground floor extension. Insulation will also help keep out damp and the cold, leaving you and your family much more comfortable. (See here for more information on loft insulation)
Gutters, Pathways and Pipes – These are all places that are notorious for being the source of leaks. Gutters and paths in particular are very susceptible to build ups of leaves, mud and general clutter from during the year. By clearing pathways and making sure your gutters are clear, water will be able to efficiently be drained from the property; avoiding unnecessary damage to brickwork and the property’s exterior.
Garden Hazards – Things like tall trees and unstable structures that may have been built or damaged in the summer and autumn months should be seen to. For example, trees and their branches should be trimmed to help avoid falling and flying branches and damaged sheds or other structures should be repaired, removed or replaced to make sure they don’t send debris flying through your garden. Fences should also be checked to make sure they can withstand the inevitable changing conditions, wind and rain.
Central Heating and Keeping Warm
As part of the yearly checks that take place for your property, whether you rent it out, live in it or are looking to sell; the central heating and boiler system should be high up your list of priorities.
A well serviced boiler is less likely to fail and will keep your property warm and well stocked with hot water throughout the winter months. You may see it fit to take out boiler insurance or to get it serviced before the winter months when so many peoples’ boilers fail, break down or require maintenance.
If you are leaving your property for a period longer than a couple of weeks or so, consider getting a plumber to drain your central heating system. This will help to avoid the stagnation of water and the unnecessary corrosion of pipes and radiators. It will also mean that when you do return and switch on the heating, the system will be ‘flushed through’ and may well work better than before.
Insurance Claims and Documentation
No matter what you do this winter and in preparation for the year’s coldest months, make sure you have easy access to your home insurance documents in case you do need to make a claim. You should also make sure that these documents are safe and sound so that should a flood or something else occur, you will have easy access to these important documents.
