Now the summer has come to end, you’ll probably be bracing yourself for the colder and damper weather to come.
Through the winter we spend more time inside our homes, so we want to make sure they are set for the colder weather.
Ensure you’re up to date with home maintenance before winter, by using our winter maintenance checklist.
Winter maintenance checklist
Clear your guttering
Debris, moss, and leaves can all start to build up and clog your gutters and drains which can lead to water getting blocked, causing damp issues in your home.
Although it might not be at the top of your to-do list, we recommend investing in a handyman for gutter cleaning in Autumn,to avoid any issues as the weather becomes damper.
It’s also worth asking your handyman for your gutter cleaning to check there is no damage to your fascia board. Any damage to your fascia board could end up with you having a leaky roof later down the line which can cause a build up of damp.
Service your Boiler
Your boiler will be doing a lot of work over the winter period to keep your house warm and hot water hot. To avoid any boiler issues in the depth of winter where you’ll need heating and hot water the most, we recommend getting your boiler serviced at the end of the summer or beginning of Autumn.
You should service your boiler every year to ensure it’s safe. Your boiler engineer will:
- Check for any signs of leaks.
- Check safety controls.
- Check gas pressure and flow.
- Clean internal components of the boiler if needed.
- Perform a flue and combustion test.
- Carry out safety checks to ensure there isn’t a carbon monoxide risk.
Check on your radiators
You might want to get your handyman for plumbing and heating to check your radiators as part of your home maintenance before winter.
Any air trapped in radiators prevents them from heating efficiently and can cause them to feel cold at the top which can in turn increase energy consumption.
To ensure optimum efficiency, you might need to ‘bleed’ your radiators. After bleeding your radiators you might need to check the pressure on your boiler, your handyman for plumbing and heating should be able to help you with this.
Sweep your chimney
If you’re lucky enough to have an open fire/log burner in your home, you’ll want to ensure that it’s all in working order before those colder nights draw in.
Chimney maintenance is really important as without doing it yearly, it could lead to the build-up of soot, tar, and creosote that can lead to house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. A dirty chimney can also lead to smoke coming into your home, causing unpleasant odours or smoke damage.
We recommend getting your chimney swept in late September/early October. Make sure you book your chimney sweep in advance to avoid them getting booked up.
Prep your pipes
Frozen pipes can cause huge issues for your heating system, potentially keeping you without hot water when you need it most.
To avoid pipes freezing with the cold weather you should:
- Disconnect and drain any outdoor hoses.
- Cover any exterior faucets with insulators.
- Insulate any exposed pipes in your home with foam sleeves.
- Seal any air leaks.
- Try to maintain a consistent temperature in your home.
- Ensure you know where the shut off valve is located for your water.
- Drain the system entirely if you’re going to be away from your home for an extended period over winter.
Fix draughts
If you live in an older property, then a few draughts are to be expected. As part of your winter maintenance checklist you could try placing draught tape around windows or doors. You might also want to fill any gaps on exposed floorboards.
If you are finding large draughts in your house, you could consider getting better windows or even underfloor heating to ensure your home is more energy efficient.
Repair your roof
Loose roof tiles, rotting support beams or damaged lead can cause issues later down the line with the exposure to adverse weather conditions potentially causing roof leaks and water damage.
You can invest in a roof inspection to ensure that you’re prepared for winter by replacing any damaged tiles or lead.
See if your insulation is sufficient
We lose a lot of heat in the home through roofs, windows and doors. Making sure you have the right insulation in your home will make your house more energy efficient. Good insulation will keep your house warmer making it more cost effective for you long term.
You might want to consider additional roof insulation or simple fixes like insulated curtains or blinds.
For roof or flooring insulation you’ll need the help of an insulation expert. We recommend organising any insulation at the end of the summer to ensure you’re ready for when the temperature drops.
At Creswells, we have an extensive handyman service available to help you with jobs in your home.
Our handyman services include:
- Carpentry
- Painting, Decoration and Wallpapering
- Electrical
- Fencing
- Gardening, Lawn Mowing and Building Garden Furniture
- Replacing Door Handles etc
- Plumbing
If you need help with your home maintenance before winter get in contact with one our friendly team for a quote today!