Category: Homepage | Published: 14 Dec, 2021
Home Insulation Checklist for Winter now
It’s that time of year again where the days are shorter and the nights are colder, but it’s also the best time to prepare your home insulation for the winter ahead.
It’s that time of year again where the days are shorter and the nights are colder, but it’s also the best time to prepare your home insulation for the winter ahead.
Keeping our homes snug and cosy is always important to us in the winter months, however a little effort and extra thought now could save you expensive emergency repairs and wasted energy costs at a time when extreme weather can take its toll!
Sometimes all we want to do is cuddle up with a blanket by the fire but it may be best to jump into action now with these ways to prepare your home inside and out for the winter ahead:
Home Insulation outside of the home
Before the weather starts to really take its toll on your home this winter, remember to check your walls and driveway for cracks and damage. Also, check your roof from the ground for loose or cracked tiles, and repair where necessary!
Always be sure to be on the lookout for the build-up of leaves, especially on a flat roof. As this can create the perfect opportunity to build water that can freeze or become a little watering hole for birds and other small creatures. As cute as that may sound, it’s not the best news for your roof.
Leaves get everywhere this time of year, so ensure you’re cleaning out your gutters regularly to avoid buildup. As little as you might want to keep on top of this, overflowing rainwater can cause expensive damage to walls and trapped water can freeze and damage your pipes.
Weather damage could impact home insulation
Another way to evade damage to due frozen water is to disconnect and drain outdoor hoses, and shut exterior taps off entirely if you won’t use them until spring to avoid freezing and cracking.
With the gale-force winds and that awful rain that slaps you in the face sideways, It’ time to cover or put away your garden furniture. Those strong winds and rain will put up a good fight with your fences and trees so make sure everything is secure and cut back any branches that might cause damage in your garden!
It’s the insulation, inside the house that counts
Most homes will already be using their heating system, If you’re anything like my household, you’ve had your home nice and toasty for a few weeks now. But it’s worth making sure everything’s running well before you really need it.
If you’re overdue a boiler service, it’s important to get it done now. As I’m sure we’re all aware, getting an emergency service when everyone else needs one isn’t easy! And if you’re going away for a few days, maybe to visit Santa or get away from the cold this Christmas, leave the heating on low to stop pipes freezing in extreme weather, which can cause real damage.
Fireplace Safety and Heating Maintenance
Firstly, bleed your radiators if needed ensuring your heating is off, and start with your lower floors first! Then, use the individual temperature controls and program your heating system to ensure it’s in line with your usual routine.
You may even want to think about draught excluders and inexpensive heat-reflecting foil behind exterior wall radiators to stay warm and waste less energy!
If you have a wood or gas fireplace, ensure to check it before you really start to fire it up for the winter! Shine a torch up and if soot deposits are more than about 3mm, call in a professional chimney sweep. And it’s not just your fireplace that can increase the risk of fire.
So, it’s also a really good time to check your smoke detectors just in case the obscene amount of lights and candles scattered around the house on Christmas day doesn’t ruin the holiday spirit.