Maintaining your property is one of the most important aspects of being a homeowner or landlord, even more so in winter time.
The season’s infamous weather and decrease in temperature means we must all act to make sure our homes are safe and well insulated this time of year.
Piping
Keeping on top of your pipework should be right at the top of your winter property maintenance checklist.
A pipe can burst when water pressure builds up behind a frozen section of the pipe. From this, the results can include flooding, dampness, and temporary loss of property.
Thankfully, there are a number of steps in place to help ensure your pipes survive the winter cold and help heat your property. These include: Insulating your pipes with sleeves or wrapping and running heat through them at least a couple of times a week to help minimise the build-up of frozen water.
Heating
Following on from the pipework it is then essential to inspect the remaining heating system on your property.
Radiators – We advise bleeding your radiators as there may be trapped air inside of them. Releasing the air allows the radiator to fully heat up and gives your property the best chance of warming up. It will also save money on energy bills.
Boiler – Again, just to be safe we would advise getting your boiler checked out by a Gas Safety-registered engineer. This is typically done once a year but it is always good to know nearer winter. That would truly be the worst time of year for things to stop working!
General property maintenance
Besides pipework and radiators, there are other key aspects of the property which need to be looked at and maintained during the winter months.
Dampness – Damp can be such a nuisance and difficult to deal with in the winter time. You can reduce condensation occurring in your property by closing the kitchen door when cooking and leaving your clothes to dry near a window.
Guttering – Autumn has passed and the leaves have fallen from the trees – most likely straight into your gutters! Drain pipes can become blocked and restrict the flow of water, meaning water could find its way into your property. Don’t give it a chance, clean your gutters!
These are just a handful of handy tips and hints to keep you and your family warm this winter. But don’t let the cold bring you down this winter, wrap up warm and enjoy the festivities!