Winter-Proof Your Home: Essential Tips

While Hallowe’en brought its usual dose of spooky fun, one of our listed properties gave us a real scare—a sudden leak in the second-floor bathroom that made its final appearance in the ground floor downstairs loo. Thankfully, ourselves and the Vendors acted swiftly, and the issue was resolved, insurance company informed and works have begun so we can get the house back on the market. Let it be a timely reminder: water damage waits for no one!

This incident reminded us how important seasonal maintenance can be.

After a sizzling summer and a mild autumn, this week’s sudden drop in temperature feels like a bit of a shock. It’s also a handy nudge in terms of ensuring we’ve all got our homes ready for the chilly months ahead. We have got you covered. Here are our main top tips for prepping your property for winter to keep it cosy and protected.

The roof over your head

It’s easy to get caught up in all the home-proofing factors on the ground and in the main part of the house, however, don’t forget what is best at keeping the weather out; your roof.

Broken or loose tiles can be tricky to detect from the ground, but you must check there are no loose or missing tiles that could add to slow leaks leading up to a big issue. Any debris, such as moss, could create damage if not cleared, so it’s best to clear it when it’s built up.

We would recommend calling in a professional to assess and fix if need be.

Clear the gutters

This is the prime time of year for twigs and leaves to be landing in your guttering and potentially block the overflow pipes that could lead to an ice dam when the mercury drops. If you have tall trees next to your house, this certainly needs a check and if it’s bad, do consider getting a drain guard in place so that you have less work next year. It would be worth trimming any overhanging tree branches. An expert would be preferable to call in, and make sure they use a tool to clear your downpipes to remove any possible blockages.

Check your pipes

Frozen pipes are a common issue that can cause havoc in winter. It’s really worth checking the insulation on your system and wrapping them up with lots of lagging to protect against the inevitable freezing temperatures ahead. We recommend paying particular attention to pipes that lie along exterior walls in particular, for insulation or freezing vulnerability.

Boiler serviced for action

It can be an expensive time of year, but don’t be tempted to forego getting your boiler serviced, which is a relatively cost-effective way of ensuring you don’t have a bank-breaking sudden replacement.

Fireplace check

Whether you have a gas fire or open fireplace with chimney, your system needs a service or professional sweep so that you’re able to safely boost the inside temperature when you need it most. Chimney fires can give off potentially dangerous carbon monoxide fumes, so you must get a professional in at least once a year and also test that your carbon monoxide plus smoke detectors, are all effective.

Other key factors to check are:-

1. Take a look at your attic and add more insulation if needed to prevent heat escaping and to save on heating costs
2. Minimise the chance of drafts by sealing gaps or cracks around doors and windows with weatherstripping or draft excluders.
3. Bleed your radiators so that you’re confident your heating system runs efficiently.
4. Clean your drains. This is easily preventable with a drain un-blocker but for a more detailed guide, take a look at this article.
5. Keep your home regularly well-ventilated, even when very cold, to minimise the risk of damp from condensation and wipe the damp from the windows to stop mould forming.
6. Consider installing a wireless thermostat, such as a Hive, so that you can control the heating of your home when you travel away from home.
7. If you have a ceiling fan, a handy tip is to reverse it to force warm air downwards.

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to winter maintenance on your home. For more tips on staying energy efficient, do take a look at our blog on Energy Saving. Most importantly, please stay cosy and issue-free this winter at home!