Is your home ready for the cold weather?
The end of November and the start of December is a good time to think about how you can ‘winter-proof’ your home, especially as costs are rising. We’ve come up with a to-do list to help you take care of small issues and avoid big insurance problems this autumn and winter.
1. Reducing and avoiding condensation at home
The moisture building up in your home due to condensation (the meeting of cool and wam air) could cause significant problems in the short and longer term, including black mould (which is bad for human health), damp and rot. These can all contribute to structural damage in the home – and lead to a large insurance bill on top.
Condensation usually builds up in the kitchen and bathroom due to the use of hot water for cooking and bathing, so ventilation is a big help. While you might not want a window wide open during the cold, wet and windy weather, it can help reduce condensation and help prevent moisture buildup. Open the window a little or run the extractor fan and put lids on pots while cooking. And the same goes for the bathroom – open the window or turn on the fan while bathing or showering. Reducing your bathing time will also help reduce condensation – and your energy bills.
2. Check your boiler is serviced in time
Using more hot water and heating leads to boiler breakdowns for thousands of residents every year – but you can avoid being one of them. Plan a visit from a Gas Safe approved engineer to inspect your boiler and carry out a service if needed before the bad weather kicks in.
Keeping your boiler in optimal health ensures you always have heating and hot water during the cold weather, and also means your boiler is in a safe and stable condition.
3. Prevent damage to your roof, drains and gutters
Dead leaves, debris and litter can all block drainpipes and gutters. Coupled with poor weather – heavy rain or snow – this can cause extensive damage to pipework and serious blockages can lead to water coming though your roof. There’s also the risk of gutters collapsing under the weight of too much water and debris.
Make sure you check your roof for leaks and damage to tiles; adhere to all safety precautions when carrying out this work yourself or hire a professional to survey your roof. You should also clear drains and gutters properly before the bad weather and severe cold arrive to keep your home and family safe.
4. Review home fire safety
Increasing the use of heat in the house over autumn and winter – cooking, space heaters, an open fire or candles – increases the chance of a house fire, and house fires are unfortunately more common in the colder months. Here are some common sense steps you can take to reduce your risk.
Make sure your interlinked smoke and heat alarms are installed and in good working order. The law changed in Scotland in 2022 so all homes should now have interlinked fire and smoke alarms. If you haven’t yet upgraded to comply with the new legislation, contact a professional service as soon as possible for a visit and installation.
Before you leave the house, and especially before going to bed, turn off all heat-producing appliances and items not in use, e.g. heaters, busy extension cords, hairdryers, straighteners, and of course the oven and hobs. Smokers should take extra care to extinguish cigarettes and cigars. Never leave candles or your fire unattended or left to burn – always extinguish candles and dispose of fire ashes carefully. Consider a chimney inspection or chimney sweep to clean vents, remove soot buildup and to keep it working safely.
You should also have a fire escape plan for your home and make sure everyone who lives with you knows what to do in the event of a house fire.
Do you need help with insurance reinstatement and related services? Talk to us.
Our reputation for high-quality property repairs has been earned through years of experience within the insurance sector.
We take great pride in our work and treat our customers’ property as we would treat our own. Our operatives are highly skilled in all aspects of building work including carpentry, plumbing and heating, ceramic tiling, electrical work, painting and decorating, roofing, glazing and drainage.
No job is too big or too small: we handle claims from one hundred pounds to several million pounds, providing the highest standards of quality and client satisfaction, no matter the size of the job.
Contact us today.
