As kids, we were always excited for the start of winter because it meant that soon enough there would be snowmen to build up in the mountains and Christmas trees to put up. As adults, however, with the cold weather tends to come more concern than excitement, especially if you’re a homeowner.
Because the colder winter weather can lead to an array of home problems, very few homeowners look forward to it. However, just because the winter can cause problems for your home, it doesn’t mean that it has to. Believe it or not, it’s just a case of being prepared.
With that in mind, below is some of the very best advice for getting your home ready for the colder, winter weather.
Check your roof
To ensure that the winter weather doesn’t damage your home beyond repair, it’s worth checking your roof over. You see, any cracked or missing tiles or shingles can allow rain to enter your property, causing dampness, mold, and leaks. Missing tiles can also give pests an opportunity to gain entry to your home, which is something that you definitely don’t want as it can be expensive to have pests exterminated. We actually had a tiny issue with mice getting into the house, but it was nothing our new cat couldn’t take care of.
Clear out your gutters
As well as checking your roof, it’s also important to check the guttering to ensure that it’s not clogged with leaves. Iff it is clogged, this can lead to water running down the walls of your home and pooling around the foundation. This can cause all sorts of problems, including rising damp. This is a really smelly and dirty job, but it’s something you should actually do every season.
Don’t let your pipes freeze
Come winter, you’ll want to make sure you prevent your pipes from freezing up. One of the best options could be by using heated pipe wrap, as this can prevent any freezing from taking place. We use this on all of our exposed water pipes in the front and back yards.
Have your boiler serviced
The last thing you want in the midst of winter is your boiler to break down and leave you without heat or water. In the cold winter weather, there’s nothing worse than this. That’s why it’s important to have your boiler serviced as soon as possible so any potential problems can be found and dealt with sooner, rather than later.
Seal up your windows and doors
During the colder months, when the weather is bad, often times windows and doors can let cold air into your home. Not only can this allow warm air to escape, it increases the cost of heating your home up. Many modern window and door designs are as airtight as possible, but older ones aren’t as effective at stopping draughts. To combat the problem, sealing up your windows and doors with temporary sealant can work wonders if you can’t afford to replace them all at once. This will keep cold air out and warm air in, and will help you to cut the cost of your heating bills. We have an older home with lots of character, but we spend a lot each winter on heating our home.
So there you have it, the very best advice for getting your home ready for the cold winter weather. Winter can still be an exciting time for adults and kids alike. Once you’ve got your winter preparations ready, you can then start getting excited about all the things that the season has to offer.
