The weather is changing, we are seeing much colder weather lately with snow in some parts of the UK. We live in a detached house and can really feel the cold now than we did in our old house. Our previous house was a terraced townhouse and we were always quite late with putting the heating on. Our house was always warm from the houses on either side of us! Now we don’t have neighbours, our house needs to be in tip-top condition in the Winter to keep the house warm and cosy. Here are 7 ways to prepare your home for the colder weather which we’ve been looking at and implementing since the end of October.
1. Check The Windows and Doors
We always keep the vents open on our windows throughout most of the year, so we went around each house to make sure they were closed. They bring in a lot of drafts if not closed. We had to get the ladder out to close the window vent for the window on the stairs. It’s very high up so it’s always the one that is forgotten! If you don’t have double glazing, make sure your windows are painted and any cracks filled in to keep water out.
It’s a good idea to check over your doors to make sure they fit and are sealed properly to prevent drafts. Get some of those draft excludes to put along the bottom of the door. My mum made some for us out of old wool and rags. She crochets snakes and stuffed with rags! Don’t forget to check your letterbox brushes to help prevent the warm heat from escaping and the cold air from coming in!
2. Boilers
We rely heavily on our boilers at this time of year. It’s a good idea to get your boiler serviced and checked out. If a new boiler is needed, now is the time to get one installed. Servicing your boiler by a Gas Safety registered engineer will give you a peace of mind and make sure all is well so you are not let down during the coldest months.
3. Bleed The Radiators
If you haven’t had your radiators on throughout the Summer, you may find that once you have switched them on, they may be warm at the bottom and cold at the top. So they are not fully working to capacity. To sort this issue you need to bleed that radiator. Seek advice from a professional to make sure they are done correctly. It’s a good idea to keep your heating on a timer throughout the cold weather so everything runs smoothly and your pipes are prevented from bursting or freezing.
4. Chimney, Roof and Guttering
Check over the roof for any loose tiles or anything that may become a problem during the rain and wind in Winter. Get the gutters cleaned out of leaves and debris to prevent rainwater from flooding over the top and into the walls. Get your chimney swept by a professional to clear any build-up.
5. Power Outage Kit
With Winter comes power cuts. It’s inevitable. One way to prepare for these outages is to have a power cut kit set up so you know exactly where it is and not fumbling around in the dark. Of course they always nearly happen in the night time! Your kit could include torches, candles, matches, blankets, a battery-operated radio, a charged-up power bank for your phone, and some form of entertainment like dominoes or chess!
Have you got any further tips on how to prepare your home for the colder weather?
*This is a collaborative post