Winter is coming. Actually, judging by the frost on the ground and buzz of the boiler, it’s very much already here. For us Northern Hemisphere residents, that means cold weather, chilly winds, icy patches and the ever-looming threat of snow. Going outside is often the last thing on our minds, instead, we just want to bunk down, keep cosy and enjoy the winter weather from the safe and warm inside our homes.
To keep warm you could of course install a fire burner or add a wall mounted electric radiator, however doing so would be a waste if you don’t first attempt to keep the cold out. Indeed, our homes, however, aren’t always the protectors they promise to be and sometimes our properties can invite too much of that winter weather in. Stay for a cuppa while you’re here? Not only does this threaten that cosy feeling you covet, but it can also lead to increased energy bills, leaks and even damp. If you’re looking to keep the heat in, then read on; our 4 IDEAL ways to keep the cold out of your home this winter.
DRAUGHT EXCLUDERS
Ever been sat on the sofa watching a good winter movie and suddenly felt a chilly draught dancing around your ankles? While you might just go and put some socks on, this draft could indicate you have expensive heat leaking to the outside world, making your boiler work harder for longer and making the floors feel cold.
Draught-proofing is an excellent way to seal up all the gaps without closing off your house ventilation entirely – simply add some draught-proofing to letterboxes, pet doors, at the bottom of doors and around your windows. There are plenty of temporary options that can be installed and removed for the summer and that don’t require a huge investment either.
PLASTIC SHEETS FOR WINDOWS
If you have single pane glass windows, these can let out a lot of heat without the insulating layer of air found in double and triple-glazed windows. However, you can reduce the issue using sheets of plastic that are attached to the window frame, covering the full face of the window. There are some off-the-shelf options that also allow for heat shrink-wrapping, helping to fit the plastic to the window and providing a cold insulating barrier.
DAMP PROOFING
Damp proofing your house requires a bit of ongoing maintenance to ensure that no damage has occurred to your property between seasons that could lead to issues with damp patches and wood rot. Firstly, check and maintain gutters and downpipes, clearing out any leaf litter or mulch that could block drainage and cause it to spill over, ensuring downpipes are situated over a clear drain.
Make sure that these downpipes are maintained regularly, preventing any water leaking from joins and checking that the metal/plastic downpipe is still intact and not leaking water down the brick face. Then, potentially with the help of a professional, check your roof for damage or wear, paying attention to lose, missing or broken roofing tiles that may need to be replaced or repaired.
If you have already noticed damp patches on your walls, skirting boards or ceilings, do your best to find the source of the damp – whether a leaking pipe, penetrative damp from damaged brickwork or rising damp from a compromised damp-proof course, and then seek the advice of a professional damp company for the best next steps to take for your home.
HEATING MAINTENANCE
When was the last time you bled your radiators? Or had your boiler serviced? If you can’t confidently say you’ve had this done in the last year, then now is the time to get it sorted. Radiators naturally collect air in the top as water expands and contracts during heating and cooling, so you should absolutely be checking your radiators and their ability to heat up fully between seasons to prepare for colder periods.
Your home is your castle and it’s your best defence against the cold weather season, but without regular maintenance and care, it can quickly start to let the cold in. As such, your boiler should be serviced a minimum of once a year by a qualified professional engineer. The summer is the best time as often engineers are very busy with repairs in the winter but if you haven’t already booked your boiler service, now is a better time than before we fully enter the coldest part of the season. Just make sure to get around your winter jobs before the temperatures reach their lowest and all you want to do is stay in bed with a nice hot cup of cocoa.
