Winter weather can bring beautiful snowscapes, but it also brings challenges for homeowners, primarily in maintaining warmth, preventing damage, and managing high energy bills. Taking a few simple, proactive steps before the temperature truly drops can save you a significant amount of money and stress when the colder months arrive. This guide offers a comprehensive, easy-to-follow checklist to help you winter-proof your home.
Protect Your Pipes and Plumbing
One of the most destructive and common winter issues is burst water pipes. When water freezes, it expands, putting immense pressure on your plumbing system.
Start by identifying and insulating any exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas like your loft, garage, or cellar. Foam pipe lagging is inexpensive and readily available at most DIY stores. For outside taps and hoses, the best course of action is to disconnect any hoses, drain the tap, and, if possible, turn off the water supply to the external tap using an internal shut-off valve. If you cannot turn off the supply, a protective tap cover can offer some insulation.
It is also important to know where your main water shut-off valve is located. If a pipe does burst, knowing how to quickly turn off the water supply can limit the damage significantly while you wait for a plumber.
Insulate Windows and Doors
A significant amount of heat loss in a home occurs through draughty windows and doors, making your heating system work much harder than it needs to. This is often the easiest and cheapest problem to fix.
Check around all your window frames and door edges for gaps where cold air is leaking in. You can use self-adhesive foam strips (draught excluders) for the edges of doors and windows that open. For the bottom of external doors, a door brush or ‘sausage’ style draught excluder will block cold air from coming in underneath.
For windows, particularly older or single-paned ones, consider installing secondary glazing film. This is a clear plastic film that you apply to the inside of your window frame, creating a low-cost, insulating air pocket similar to double glazing. It is a highly effective temporary solution for reducing heat loss and condensation, and is usually easy to remove in the spring. Heavy curtains and blinds can also provide an additional layer of insulation and should be closed as soon as the sun goes down to trap in the day’s residual heat.
Prepare the Boiler and Heating System
Your boiler and central heating system are your home’s most essential defence against the cold. Before winter starts, it is advisable to have your boiler serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure it is running efficiently and safely. A well-maintained boiler is less likely to break down when you need it most.
Ensure your radiators are working optimally. If a radiator is cold at the top and warm at the bottom, it means air is trapped inside, and it needs bleeding. This simple process releases the trapped air, allowing the hot water to fill the entire unit and heat your room properly. You should also check that your furniture is not blocking radiators, which prevents heat from circulating effectively into the room.
Maintain Gutters and Roof
Poor roof drainage can lead to serious structural and damp problems during winter. Leaves, moss, and debris from autumn can clog your gutters and downpipes. When water cannot flow away properly, it can pool and freeze, causing damage to the guttering, or overflow and soak into your walls, leading to internal damp.
Clear all gutters and downpipes of blockages before the heavy rain and frost arrive. If you cannot safely reach them, hire a professional. While checking the gutters, inspect your roof from the ground with binoculars for any loose, cracked, or missing tiles that could allow water penetration. Addressing these now will prevent costly water damage later.
Landscape Preparation
Do not forget your outdoor space. Winter preparation in the garden is mostly about protection and safety.
Trim back any tree branches that are close to your house or power lines. Heavy snow and high winds can cause weak branches to snap, potentially damaging your roof or property. Store away all patio furniture and fragile garden items to protect them from frost damage. Ensure all garden paths and driveways are clear of moss or loose debris that could become slip hazards when wet or icy. Finally, if you have a lawnmower or other petrol-powered tools, drain the fuel tanks before storage, as old fuel can damage the engine over the winter months.
By dedicating a weekend to these simple winter preparation tasks, you can ensure your home remains warm, safe, and efficient, allowing you to enjoy the winter season with peace of mind.
