Throughout the summer months, people yearn for the winter season. Fun festivities like Christmas, New Years, spending time with loved ones and finally getting the chance to use our winter wardrobe. It’s a season where we spend most of our time in our homes, ensuring our space looks nice and cosy and staying away from the cold and harsh weather. However, amongst the romanticised approach to the winter months, there are also some changes caused by the extreme weather that can effects on your home, health and cars. If things regarding the home go haywire throughout the winter season, it may be harder to get things back up and running in an instant, due to the high demand of the season. Here at We Buy Any House, we have compiled our top tips to help you set up your home for the winter- so you and your loved ones can enjoy the cosiness and warmth of it without the worry and hassle of things breaking.
Test Your Heating:
Throughout the summer months, it’s more than likely that your heating has been switched off and hasn’t been given a second thought since. As we transition from the summer months to the colder months, it’s important to re-acquaint yourself with the heating. A few things to think about in regards to your heating before the weather starts to drop include:
- Do your radiators need bleeding?
- Is your boiler working?
- Do you need to dust off any of the vents or filters?
If your boiler needs replacement, then replace it with an outdoor wood boiler which is efficient and saves you electricity bills. But before purchasing one, you should look at different boiler prices to know which one best suits your budget. You should also look for insulation to make sure there is no heat leakage.
Check Your Windows and Doors:
When the weather was warmer, homeowners probably left the windows open or on latch so fresh air could get into the house. In order to save on your heating bill, and make sure that no drafts are entering the home, it’s important to check the seal on your doors and windows. It’s a good idea to do this in plenty of time, as you can get it fixed before the weather drops dramatically.
Know Where the Stop Clock Is:
Your stop clock is the valve responsible for turning the cold-water system on and off in your house. Its important that you know where this is, as if you have an overflowing bathtub or burst pipe, you will have to turn the water off by the stop clock, Throughout the winter months, cold weather can cause your pipes to freeze, which followed by the additional pressure, can cause cracking and bursting. Knowing where the stop clock is will enable you to prevent such things from happening.
Know What to Do in a Power Cut:
Although power cuts aren’t massively regular, it’s still important to know what to do in the case of one- especially if you don’t want to be rummaging around in the dark trying to find a candle or alternative lights. Extreme weather may cause a power cut to happen, and power cuts are more of an irritant due to the dark weather. A few tips on what to do in the event of one include:
- Check all electrical outlets and supplies are turned off.
- Call your supplier and report a power cut.
- If there is a risk of serious danger, call the emergency services.
- Check on any neighbours who are vulnerable.
- Find alternative lighting such as a wind-up torch, phone lights, candles or electric candles.
Clear Drains and Gutters:
Stones, leaves and other types of debris may end up clogging your drains and gutters. It’s important that you regularly maintain this in order to reduce the risk of your gutters overflowing instead of draining away water. Clogged drains can lead to flooding, cracking and damage- which in the repair could cost you hundreds if not thousands.
Check Your Home Insurance:
Before the winter months approach, check your home insurance and know exactly what damage is covered. You may want to revisit your insurance plan and add things/remove things depending on your circumstances, and there may be new options available to you that would protect your house better throughout the winter season.
This article was written by a quick house sale company We Buy Any House. If you’re wondering “how can I sell my house fast?”, head to the We Buy Any House website for more information relating to all property related enquiries.
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