Preparing Your Home For Winter

As the nights draw in and the temperatures drop, this is an important time to make sure your home is winter-ready. By spending time on maintenance to your home now, you can save on potentially costly damage to your home. You can also ensure that you stay safe, warm and cosy over the winter. We have created an easy checklist for you to go through in order to prepare your home for the winter months ahead.

• Clear the gutters: water in places it shouldn’t be will damage your property, so ensure the gutters are clear of all obstructions including leaves and any debris. Consider fitting them with a mesh cover to prevent leaves clogging up the gutters.
• Check the roof: inspect the roof for wear and tear (either yourself or hire a professional). Check for leaks and gaps and ensure the flashing around skylights, pipes and chimneys are intact.
• External water pipes: wrap these in heating tape to save energy and prevent them from freezing.
• Fire safety: if you’re lucky enough to have a wood burning stove, have it inspected, cleaned and repaired. Get any chimneys swept before lighting the fires this winter, and if you do have an open fireplace rather than a wood burning stove, consider having a stove installed as it’s a much more efficient way to heat a room.
• Attic insulation: check your attic is insulated properly.
• Check for drafts: check around all doors and windows for any drafts. Caulk any cracks or install weather stripping to prevent cold air coming in and heat being lost.
• Outside taps: ensure any outside taps are insulated. If you have an isolator valve, close the valve and open the tap so that if the water left in it freezes, it has room to expand.
• Paths, patios and driveways: damaged paths and driveways are a hazard anyway, but worsen in freezing temperatures, go into the winter with a smooth exterior and fix any damaged areas. Also, clean patios, paths and driveways with a pressure washer so they do not become slippery when wet.
• Outside lights: Make sure any outside lights are working correctly so you can see clearly on the dark mornings and afternoons.
• Buy a water butt: it’s a great time to install a water butt, and let it fill up over winter.
• Tidy the garden: cut back any trees, shrubs and bushes, and ensure you are cleaning up the leaves as they drop over the autumn.
• Plant bulbs: This is the time of year to plant spring bulbs. Plant daffodils, tulips and any other bulbs to give you a burst of colour in the garden when we start to come out the other side of winter.