Winter is Coming - 5 Top tips for Property Maintenance

As John Snow once said, ‘Winter is coming’. Even though it’s only autumn, that gives us a few weeks to prepare for the cold season. Although the UK has relatively mild winter months in the later part of the year, trying to fix a leaky roof in the wind and freezing rain is not a job that’s high on our list. (Or high on the list of most contractors!) So it’s a good idea to start your preparations now so that when the winter weather rolls in, you can be snug and warm inside. So what do you need to prepare? Whether you’re renting or own your own home, here are 5 things we think should be top of your list!

Check your heating

After not using your heating all summer, it’s definitely worth making sure there are no problems when you turn your thermostat up to toasty. When you turn on your heating, you should hear some gurgling as the boiler kicks in. After about 30 minutes, your radiators should be nice and hot, ready to warm your socks. Make sure you also get your boiler checked sooner rather than later, so that you can beat the inevitable rush on plumbers from people who haven’t read this article and left it right until the last minute.

Check for outside damage

Harsh weather can cause all sorts of problems to your property if small issues aren’t dealt with during the nicer months. Whether it’s brickwork, rendering or something more drastic, make sure that there are no flaws that will be problematic when the temperature drops. Things to look out for include missing cement or cracks in the pointing. If water makes its way into the defects, the repeated process of freezing and thawing can blow holes in the pointing or even the brickwork.

The roof is also a good place to check if you can. Look from the inside, in the middle of the day and with any lights off. This way, if you can see any daylight, you might have a gap in your roof tiles that needs sorting.

Insulation

Check the insulation in your roof to make sure it’s thick enough to do a good job. Check the insulation around any pipes too, to make sure it’s not worn and is doing its job correctly. You also want to check your windows and doors for seals that may be broken or cracked. Sometimes this can lead to windows blowing, cracks, and heat escaping - which will cause you extra expense in the long run.

Clear the gullies

Autumn, such a pretty time for trees changing colour and getting to snuggle up while the rain pours outside. You know what’s not pretty? Leaky gutters, damp patches and flooded gardens. Make sure that you clear out and clean your gutters, gullies and drains before the wet weather really sets in.

Ventilation is key

In the winter we close our windows to keep the heat in, however this also keeps in any moisture that’s in the air. Moisture build up can then lead to mould, which if left untreated, can cause issues for you inside! To prevent this, make sure to keep a steady flow of air around your house, open windows when the heating isn’t on and use the trickle vents (in most modern windows) to allow some air to flow through.

By preparing your home for winter you:

Reduce the risk of leaks and frozen taps
Beat the rush in winter for engineers to service your boiler
Won't be left without heating or hot water in cold months (as you would have already checked for problems)
Can reduce your energy bills by making your house more efficient at retaining heat
Less likely have to have damage caused by mould and damp