With winter right around the corner, now’s the best time to check whether or not your home is ready for what’s ahead. After all, you don’t want anything going wrong when there’s freezing temperatures and miserable weather outside.
If you’re wondering what you need to check to ensure your house is prepared for the winter season, then keep reading.
Is Your Roof Insulated?
A warm home will keep the winter chill from getting to you too much. However, if your property isn’t well-insulated, you could end up losing some of that heat, and consequently wasting money. The best way to avoid that from happening is to check your roof insulation, as this is where ¼ of your heat is lost. If there isn’t sufficient insulation up there, then you’ll want to change that immediately. Not only will it ensure that your home retains most of its heat this winter, but it will also cut a fair amount off your energy bills.
Is Your Boiler Working?
In the middle of winter, the last thing you need is for your boiler to break down. So, it’s in your best interests to see if everything’s working before the weather gets any worse. We advise checking the pressure gauge – your manual should tell you how – to test whether or not it’s too high or too low. If it happens that your boiler needs repairing, replacing, or you notice any other plumbing issues, GK Plumbing are highly reliable plumbers covering the whole of Oxford. Whether you just need a standard servicing or a full-on reinstallation, they’ll be able to meet your needs, and offer a 10-year guarantee, too. They won’t let you go cold this winter.
Are Your Gutters Clear?
Depending on where your house is, you may find that your gutters regularly get clogged during the autumn. That can be problematic for your home come the winter because it means the rain and snow don’t have anywhere to go. As a result, the water builds up around the gutters, which can potentially lead to damp and mould. You don’t need the hassle of dealing with that issue, so it’s best to ensure everything is clear up there before winter arrives. After all, this is the UK, so chances are there’s going to be plenty of wet weather over the next few months.
Are Your Exterior Pipes Protected?
Some of the pipes in your home are probably on exterior walls, and that’s not ideal during winter. The problem is that if the temperatures drop too low, the water in those pipes will freeze and potentially cause a rupture. You don’t want to be dealing with water leaking everywhere and damaging your home, so ensuring that these pipes are protected from the cold is essential. There are several things you can do to prevent burst water pipes, but it may also be worth asking a professional for help. If you’re already bringing in a plumber to sort out your boiler, this would be the perfect time to get your pipes dealt with, too.
You don’t need anything going wrong with your home this winter, and if you do these checks, then there shouldn’t be any problems. You can just relax in the warmth while the cold weather does its thing outside.
