With shorter days approaching, it’s a good time to make sure that you and your home are prepared for the colder, wetter weather and any other surprises winter might have in store.
1. Inspect your insulation
Now is a good time to make sure your insulation is up to scratch, particularly in your loft. Over time insulation can settle so an annual inspection helps ensure that you are always at the recommended depth for your insulation.
The government recommends a minimum of 270 mm but many new build homes are fitting 300 mm or above. This depth refers to glass or mineral wool and different insulation materials will vary in their recommended depth. For example, spray foam insulation can be just 120 mm as it is a more dense material.
2. Do a recce of your roof
Check your roof for damaged or missing tiles, cracks in the flaunching around chimney pots and accumulations of moss and debris before winter sets in. You don’t want to find water dripping through your ceiling during a storm in the midst of winter because of a loose or missing slate or tile.
If you’re not comfortable assessing your roof yourself, get it professionally checked before winter. Ensure your guttering is clear of leaves, moss and other debris and that it is in good condition with no missing or broken brackets.
3. Trim trees
Winter brings storms, heavy rain and high winds, all of which can cause damage to your property. Having trees in close proximity to your home increases the chances of branches breaking off in bad weather and causing damage to your roof, windows or garden.
Trim back any branches that are overhanging your fence, shed or roof. Pay particular attention to any dead or diseased branches which are more likely to come down in a storm or wind.
4. Prepare for a power cut
Unfortunately, power cuts are more common in winter so it’s a good idea to make sure you are prepared to be without electricity for a few hours or even days. It’s wise to have bottled water, emergency food supplies and a means of cooking without electricity, just in case.
Have torches and spare batteries to hand and invest in a power bank for phones and laptops so you can stay in contact with family or keep updated on weather conditions. Make sure you keep your power bank charged up and ready to be used in an emergency. Put some blankets and warm clothes in an easily accessible place. Using candles in a power cut is not recommended but if you do use them put them inside a hurricane lantern for safety.
5. Book a boiler service
You’ll rely a lot on your boiler over the winter for heating and hot water so make sure you book a boiler service in good time before the cold weather. This will ensure that it’s in good working order and there are no leaks. Most boiler warranties depend on an annual service being done to remain valid.
A serviced boiler will operate more efficiently and is less likely to break down. You should also have a carbon monoxide detector fitted in your home when you have any fossil fuel burning appliances such as a gas boiler, wood burner or oil fired boiler.
6. Protect pipes
Lagging pipes in winter will prevent them from freezing and bursting in very cold weather. All outdoor pipes should have insulation as they are more exposed and therefore more likely to freeze. However, the pipes in your loft from your cold water tank, if you have one, can also be susceptible to dropping temperatures so these should be insulated along with the tank itself.
Insulating the pipes of your central heating and hot water supply can stop heat escaping and save you money on your energy bill.
7. Check your chimney
For those with an open fire or wood burning stove, having the chimney cleaned before winter is a must. The flue should be clear of obstructions and creosote deposits to ensure good draw, prevent chimney fires and aid the dispersion of smoke and gas emissions from the fire.
It is currently not law that your chimney needs to be swept regularly but it is good practice nevertheless.