Winter home improvements

Before the snow sets in and causes havoc on our homes, tackle a few precautionary repair jobs to save you time and money in the long term as suggested by The Daily Telegraph.

Roofs and chimneys take the brunt of the worst winter weather so it’s best to give them a once over. Check for loose tiles, slates and chimney cracks, and make sure aerials and satellite dishes are well secured. Check flashing is in good repair where the roof meets adjoining brickwork. Check in the loft for small leaks that could potentially build up over winter. It is also important to check your flat roof for any puddles that have the capability to cause leaking.

It is best to fix up deteriorating paintwork and brickwork on exterior walls to prevent the bad weather turning it into an even bigger job. You could even consider a protective wall coating to ‘weather-proof’ the exterior; this will prevent damp entering walls and will avert the need for regular repainting. However, if you have a period house you must be very careful as to how you treat the old brickwork as they will need to breathe rather than have moisture sealed in. For further advice contact The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

Before the onset of the winter rain and wind, clear plants, leaves and silts from gutters and hopper heads. Make sure downpipes and guttering are firmly fixed to the walls in case of a heavy snowfall. 

As the dark evenings set in be sure to check your outside lights are working effectively for safety and security reasons. If you’re out for the evening or going on holiday it may be worth setting a timer to ensure your house is well lit as soon as it gets dark.

Don’t let draughts and rainwater ruin your cosy winter evenings, if you’ve got peeling paintwork, deteriorating frames or loose putty it may be time your windows were replaced. You’ll be amazed at the difference energy efficient windows can make, they are usually double or triple glazed with low-emissivity (Low-E) glass; an unnoticeable coating of metal oxide on one of the internal panes. It allows sunlight and warmth in but limits the amount of heat escaping. You can even go one step further with energy efficiency with windows that have gases, such as argon, in the gap between the two panes.

The harsh winter weather causes potholes on our roads and will no doubt take its toll on your driveway and the paths around your home. They will only get worse once the rain and ice sets in, so it is best to fix them now. For broken paving slabs ease out the smallest section and remove old mortar from the underside. Mix fresh mortar; relay the broken piece on top, smoothing a small amount over the join to seal. For gravel paths, lay some extra gravel down as heavy rain and snow can really thin it out.

Pipes in the cold areas of your home are particularly vulnerable, so make sure you pay close attention to pipes in the loft, cellars and garages. Your local DIY store will sell cheap and easy to fit lagging as either snap-on or foam-sleeve sections.

Don’t let your boiler catch you out in the middle of a cold snap and leave you struggling to find an available plumber. Get your boiler serviced before winter sets in. Be sure to check the age of your boiler first, if it’s more than 15 years old it may be too inefficient and may need replacing. It will save you money in the long term as it will be able to heat your home better and you will save on energy bills. Visit www.which.co.uk for boiler comparisons.

Cheap and simple draught excluders can make a big difference to your heating costs, there are many available from letter box covers, tape to seal around windows and doors, thicker curtains and even an inflatable chimney balloon for fireplaces that are not in use. So you’ll find plenty of options to help keep the cold out and the warmth in.

If you have an old house with solid walls you can make the most of the heat from your radiators using reflective foil. Place it on the wall behind your radiators and the heat will be reflected back into the room rather than being lost through the wall.

We hope these top tips help you have a warm and cosy winter, for more information about being energy efficient, follow the link to our feature on Greener living: Never a better time to insulate your home.