Ways to winter-proof your home

With winter fast approaching, now is the time to ensure your home is ready to face the cold and wet weather. It’s important to winter-proof your home, not only to keep it cosy and comfortable for you, but to help save you money on heating bills and prevent the need for costly repairs. Here are some handy ways to prepare your house for cold weather.

Check your roof and gutters

Start by inspecting your roof for any damaged or missing tiles, as even small sections of damage can cause leaks during heavy rain or snow. And check if your gutters are clear of autumn leaves and other debris. Blocked gutters can lead to overflowing water, which might cause damp or structural damage to your home. If you need repairs on your roof or your gutters cleared, it’s best to call a professional to make sure the job’s done properly.

Improve your insulation

Proper insulation is one of the most effective ways to keep your home warm and dry, as well as reduce heating costs. Did you know that loft insulation can help prevent up to 25% of heat loss, and could also reduce your energy bills by hundreds of pounds? Cavity wall insulation and double glazed windows also have a huge impact on heat loss – consider upgrading to triple glazed windows for even greater impact.

Bleed your radiators

If your radiators aren’t heating up as well as they should, they may have trapped air inside. Bleeding them in the run-up to winter to release this air is an easy, fast task that helps make sure they’ll heat up properly when you need them to, helping warm your home faster without wasting energy.

Service your boiler

To avoid breakdowns during the coldest months, get your boiler serviced before winter begins. This will ensure it’s working safely and efficiently by the time the cold, wet weather truly sets in. As well as keeping you comfortable in your home throughout the season, a well-maintained boiler is likely to last longer and you’ll have a lower risk of unexpected repairs or replacements.

Prevent draughts

Cold draughts can sneak in through gaps in windows, doors and even chimneys, while heat from inside the home can simultaneously slip out. A cheap and easy winter tip for your home is to use draught excluders to cover the space under doors and add sealant strips around windows to block the gaps. Investing in heavy curtains will also help.

Consider a smart thermostat

Installing a smart thermostat allows you to control your heating more efficiently. You can set it to heat your home only when needed, which will help save energy and reduce your bills. And if you plan to be away from home for an extended period, whether you’re heading off to warmer climes or visiting relatives, you can set your thermostat to put the heating on if the house drops below a certain temperature. This will help guard against damp as well as frozen pipes.

Prepare your garden

Before winter sets in, head outside and trim back any overhanging branches that could fall and damage your home during seasonal storms and high winds. It’s a great idea to cover or store your garden furniture somewhere safe and dry to protect it from the elements too.

Thinking of moving to a new home that’ll make winter a breeze? Browse property for sale in Wiltshire or contact Carter & May today.