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Winter is coming! Or it may already be here depending on where you live, but one thing we can all agree on is that we need to make sure our homes have what it takes to stand up to winter temperatures, keeping warm air in and cold air out. Homes need people; they deteriorate quickly when not getting enough attention. It is essential to take time to protect your investment, so here are a few tips and tricks on winter-proofing your home.
Check Your Home’s Heating System
Most heating systems last 12 to 15 years, but it is still better to check and be prepared. This can be just doing a simple test turn-on to assess whether your boiler is in a healthy enough state for winter. Furthermore, check your radiators when the heating is on. Are they cold towards the bottom? This could candidate trapped air within the radiator. Bleeding your radiator should solve this problem. Additionally, check your boiler pressure. If it is too temperamental, then it is time to seek the help of a trained professional.
Damp Proofing
Tackling any issues with dampness sooner rather than later is highly recommended. First, find the root cause of any moisture and fix it. Once you have remedied the problem, you can redecorate your house and make it feel like home again. You can also damp-proof your property. The term ‘damp proofing’ refers to the broader process of preserving a property through damp prevention services. Both old and new properties can be affected by damp and high moisture problems. Older properties are particularly susceptible as building materials tend to deteriorate over time. Call damp proofing specialists to find out more.
Clean The Gutters
Cleaning your gutters is a great way to help protect your home from dampness in the winter. Blocked gutters are a common cause of penetrating damp. Whether plants are growing in the gutter or simply a case of leaves and other debris – they must be cleared, cleaned out, and any cracks or damage repaired.
Insulate Your Loft Space
We’re all turning up our heating to ensure we don’t freeze at home. This can get expensive if you’re losing a lot of heat through the roof, but insulating your loft will pay for itself within a year or two. The more your home is protected, the warmer it will be in winter and the cooler it will stay in the summer sun.
Check Outdoor Lights are Clean and Working
Outdoor wall lights are not only important to safety – illuminating paths and entranceways on dark winter nights – but will also often be attractive features in their own right. So, ensuring they are clean and free of debris is a quick but helpful task before winter.
With the days and nights getting cold, making sure your home is ready to handle the winter is essential. It will help you save a bit of money with the heating and keep you happy and healthy in the winter months.