The time has come to make sure your home is warm, cosy and safe when colder weather arrives. A few simple measures now will save you money and stress later on.
Check Your Heating System
Don’t wait until the weather gets really chilly. Autumn is the time to get your boiler serviced, so don’t wait until winter sets in – that’s when it breaks!
Check your radiators as well to ensure they’re getting nice and warm. If this isn’t happening, it’s time to bleed them, which should solve the problem.
Prevent Burst Pipes
Frozen pipes will burst, and this sends gallons of water flooding through your home. The damage and the cost of fixing it will be considerable, not to mention the upset and stress.
This is easily avoided by insulating the pipes. You can buy lagging from your local DIY store and isn’t hard to install. This also helps to insulate the hot water supply – a good thing for your energy bills.
A Cosy Coat for Your Water Tank
If you have a water tank this should be insulated with a hot water cylinder jacket. This greatly reduces the amount of heat lost through the tank and makes it quicker and cheaper to heat it up. It also keeps water hotter for longer.
Clear Gutters
Leaves, twigs, birds’ nests and moss can all accumulate and cause a blockage. This means rainwater has nowhere to go but down the wall and you’ll end up with damp and mouldy gutters and walls. A good cleanout in the autumn will stop this from happening.
Insulate the Roof
If your roof or attic isn’t insulated, you’re losing up to 25% of your heat. It’s relatively inexpensive to install insulation and the benefits in comfort and cost are certainly worthwhile.
You can even do it yourself if you’re confident with DIY. Rolls of mineral wool should be laid between the joists in the loft, followed by another layer on top but at right angles. This ensures a suitable coverage and depth with no cold spots to get you the maximum benefit.
Get a Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Did you know that carbon monoxide leaks are more likely in colder months? That’s because all the appliances in your home are going full blast; boilers, heaters, cookers, fires may all be on the go for extended periods of time.
An alarm costs around £15 to £20, which isn’t much for a lifesaver. Carbon monoxide is odourless and has no taste or colour – without an alarm you’ll have no idea there’s a problem until it’s too late.
Just make sure it conforms to the latest safety standards. Your alarm should have the BSI Kitemark and the code EN 50291-1:2018.
Check Your Windows and Doors
All these precautions mean nothing if your windows and doors aren’t up to scratch. Give them a thorough inspection before the weather gets too nippy. Here are some things to look out for:
- Make sure they open and close easily to test handles, locks and hinges.
- Ensure the seal between door/window and frame is airtight – you don’t want a nasty draft.
- Check for cracks in panes or frames – not good for structural integrity or inside temperature.
- Carefully clean around frames and locks to remove any dirt – lingering debris can jam locks and prevent windows and doors from closing properly.
Talk to the Experts at The Window Centre
If you have any doubts about the condition of your windows and doors or if you’re looking to upgrade to new ones get in touch with our expert team.