With just a couple of weeks until the clocks go back, there is no denying that winter is on its way. October is, however, the perfect month to get your home ready for all that the weather can throw at it.
According to Tarquin Purdie from tradesperson comparison website HaMuch.com: “Prevention is so much better than cure. At this time of year, it’s wise to think about mitigating the things that so often go wrong as boilers are cranked up again, fireplaces stoked, and bare pipes exposed to the rigours of winter’s elements.”
Here are five jobs to do now, to keep your home warm, snug and water-tight during the winter months.
1 Service your heating system
If you haven’t turned your central heating up yet, that day can’t be far away, so it might be worth booking a boiler service now. Servicing costs around £100 and is vital to keeping your heating system in good condition – if your boiler is still under guarantee it is probably a requirement too.
Check all our radiators are working too, bleeding any that aren’t heating up. Any problems with your boiler or radiators should be fixed now before the bad weather hits.
2 Check the roof
Take a look at your roof for cracked or missing tiles and check inside for evidence of any leaks, following recent heavy rainfall. Check your facias and soffits for damage too. It is hard to tell what’s going on with your roof from ground level, so you could consider paying for a professional roof inspection. A roof replacement, if needed, is likely to cost in the region of £4,000.
3 Clear your gutters
Falling leaves clog gutters and drains, which can lead to water damage, if allowed to build up. So, make sure you clear them before winter – book a handyperson if you aren’t good with ladders and heights. To minimise further build up, install gutter brushes or leaf guards from DIY stores.
4 Inspect water pipes
Check that downpipes are not cracked or split. Think about insulating pipes to stop them from freezing then bursting if there’s a cold spell.
5 Is your insulation up to the job?
Take a look at your loft insulation – a quarter of the property’s heat can be lost if it is inadequate.
Kubie Gold Associates are an independent local firm of estate agents specialising in the Rental, Sale and Property Management of Residential Property in the North-West and Central London market
