As winter sets in it’s time to think about preparing your home for the colder months ahead.
No one wants their boiler to break in the middle of a snowstorm, or their gutters to be overflowing in a downpour, so below are a few top tips for getting your home ready for winter.
- Check your boiler and heating
Boilers should be checked and serviced every year. This is a great way to ensure it’s in good working condition and not likely to give up on you during the cold weather. Remember; make sure a Gas Safe registered plumber checks your boiler.
- Secure roof tiles
Check to make sure your roof is secure and there are no loose tiles that can blow off in the high winds during winter. It’s better to deal with any problems straightaway, rather than waiting for dangerous and costly damage to occur.
- Stop Tap / Stopcock
Find out where your stop tap / stopcock is; you can usually find it under the sink or stairs on the ground floor. If there’s a burst pipe you’ll need to turn it off quickly to prevent water damage. If you have an outside tap, find out where your isolation valve is to turn this off. Pipes that lead outside could freeze in the cold weather and burst so it’s worth knowing how to turn this off.
- Check your pipes
A pipe burst in the cold weather is a big issue. To reduce the chances of this happening, fit foam insulation around your pipes to they are being kept warm. This will help to reduce heat loss and the risk of freezing pipes. You can purchase pipe insulation at most DIY and hardware shops.
- Clear your gutters
Now the leaves are falling off the trees thick and fast, it’s important to make sure your gutters aren’t clogged. If they get blocked the water will collect and may leak onto your roof and cause damage.
- Bleed your radiators
If your radiators are not heating up well, the first thing to do is to bleed your radiators to make sure there isn’t air trapped in the system. To find out how to do this visit Which.co.uk
- Check for draughts
Look around the house for any nooks and crannies that can cause a draught, as this will result in higher heating bills for you. There are draught excluders and strips you can use to block any entry sites such as doors and windows.
- Insulation
Did you know that around a quarter of the heat lost in your home will be through your roof? So make sure your loft is insulated. Don’t forget to check government schemes for possible funding to help with the costs.
- Switch energy suppliers
Make sure to check that your current supplier has you on the best tariff. If they do and the price is still high, do a search to find out if you can get it any cheaper. This could save you a lot of money this winter!
- Check your home insurance
Take a look at your current policy to see if you’re covered for winter-related damage to your house.
Following these easy steps will help you enjoy your warm and cosy home this winter!