Ensure Your Home Is Ready For Winter

With winter fast approaching, you can find yourself dreading it. Every year you could be met with the same things and with the weather only getting worse each year, this can take its toll on your home. If you spend some time before the bad weather hits getting your house prepared then it shouldn’t be too bad. If you have particularly harsh winters then you might already know what to do, however, if you are unsure then take a look at the article below. This will give you some tips and tricks on how to care for both yourself and your home this winter. 

Fix Your Windows

One thing you can do to make sure your home is ready for winter is check your windows for draughts. If your windows are old and worn then they can get tiny holes in, this is no good when you are trying to keep your home warm. 

Make sure you go around your windows and check for wear and tear. It might be time to replace your windows if you have to keep filling in the holes. Contact your local window replacement company who will be happy to help with any questions and queries you might have.  

Replace Your Doors 

Similarly to your windows, if your doors have seen better days then it might be time to replace them. If your doors are very old then they will be letting cold air into your home. This then has a knock on effect on your heating and energy bills. Doors can be pretty pricey to replace so try and fix them yourself before you call in the experts. Another tip that can help keep the cold out and the heat in is big heavy curtains placed at the door. This is also a much cheaper option for households on a budget. 

Check The Roof 

Something that can really have an impact on your home in winter is your roof. If your roof has been hit with the elements then it can end up missing tiles and letting water and cold air in. Maintenance on your roof every so often, especially before winter is essential. You might skip this and then instantly regret it when you see rain water cascading down your walls. If you don’t want to go up to your roof or you can’t due to age or injuries then you can speak to your local roofing company who will do checks and maintenance for you. 

Clean The Gutters 

While you are checking your roof, you should also check your gutters. Clogged gutters can lead to water pooling and ending up leaking through into the walls and foundation of your home. This water can then lead to flooding, water damage, or even subsidence. This can be avoided by keeping your gutters clear of dirt, debris, and leaves. Leaves can be a huge inconvenience for gutters as when they get wet they can get stuck down the pipes. There are professional guttering companies who are used to clearing and washing out gutters, if you don’t know how to do it then it might be worth contacting them. 

Invest In Insulation 

If you often feel the chill in your home then you should check whether there is any insulation in your walls or loft. With insulation you will certainly notice the difference in the heat being retained throughout your home. Older homes might not come ready with insulation installed so if you live in an old property then it’s certainly worth checking for insulation. It is also better for your energy bills to have insulation as your boiler won’t be working so hard to keep your home warm. You can install loft insulation yourself, however if you want it in your walls as well then it’s best to get the pros in so you don’t leave yourself with lots of holes to deal with. 

Install Solar Panels 

Have you been considering solar panels for your home? This won’t necessarily help your home during winter but it will help your energy bills. Solar panels can cut your annual energy bill in half, this can be incredibly helpful. If you install your solar panels during the winter months then it will be cheaper and companies might have some great offers on. After a big initial payment, you will soon start to notice the difference in your bills. 

Service The Boiler 

During the winter months your boiler will be working extra hard to heat your home, you want to make sure that it is ready for this. You should ideally have your boiler serviced at least once a year, this will flag anything wrong with it before winter rolls around. 90% of the time boilers will break down in winter rather than summer, this is simply due to them getting tired. Call your local gas man who will service your boiler and make sure it works as it should. You could also sign up to a monthly agreement with a boiler company, this could cover you for services, maintenance, repairs, and possibly even boiler replacement. Paying a monthly fee will work out cheaper if you ever need to replace a boiler. 

Outdoor Lighting 

When you are coming home late at night during the winter months it can be pretty dark. For safety and peace of mind you could install some lighting outside your home. If you have a path that leads up to your home then you could put up some solar lighting. This will light your way all the way to your front door. Make sure that if you have a big light outside your door that you keep the bulbs working, it might help to have a backup supply of lightbulbs. 

Purchase Backup Power 

If you live in a place that frequently has power cuts then you know how frustrating this can be. The good news is you can buy back up generators that you can connect all your devices to, something like the Delta Pro Ultra home power kit. That way you don’t have to have a never ending supply of torches or even candles. 

Have The Right Insurance 

If something does happen to your home then you want to know you are covered. This could be anything from flooding to window damage caused by storms. You need to make sure that when you sign up for house insurance that you are honest with your providers. You don’t want to sign up to an insurance policy that won’t cover you for all incidences. Read the small print or speak to the sales team before signing up, you want to know what you are covered for. If you have insurance then you can rest assured that all your belongings are covered and will be replaced old for new. 

Sort Your Garden

Finally, even in winter you should be taking care of your garden. Just because the grass doesn’t grow like it does in summer doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it some TLC. Once you are confident that your home is safe and protected for winter, head outside. Trim your grass and put away all loose furniture, the last thing you want is for strong winds to blow your belongings away. In winter, ideally garden furniture should either be tied down or folded and stored somewhere safe, like a shed or outhouse. 

We hope you found this article helpful and that it gave you some ideas on how you can prepare your home for winter. Houses really do take the brunt of bad weather so protecting them is a must.