Winterise your home – our tips for winter
Winter is coming! Winter is the time of year you will rely on your heating the most so you better be prepared. The cold weather can take a toll on your plumbing and heating, however, we have some top tips to winterise and protect your home from the harsh winter weather.
Service your boiler/heating system
Your heating system works hardest at this time of year so you want to make sure it is working efficiently and as well as possible. Don’t get stuck in the cold with an inefficient boiler.
Book a service with us today and one of our experienced engineers will carry out a thorough service and maintenance to make sure your system is in top condition and ready to battle against the cold. Learn more here
Insulate pipes
One of the biggest concerns during winter is the risk of frozen pipes. A frozen pipe could leave you without water creating a panic in the morning or even worse a burst pipe causing leaks or flooding.
When water freezes it expands, this puts pressure on your pipes and can cause pipes to burst. Thankfully, you can prevent this by insulating your pipes with insulating foam tubes or insulation tape.
Inspect pipes for leaks
Inspect your pipes for leaks or drips, the cold weather can turn even a minor leak into a serious issue. You should get this repaired as soon as possible to stop future damage and of course save water and money on your water bill.
Seal Drafts
Don’t let that cold air in! Check around your windows, doors and walls for any air leaks through gaps and cracks. You don’t want to let the cold air in or let the warm air escape. You can use a sealant to close these gaps.
Clean gutters
At this time of year, your gutters can often get clogged with leaves and dirt causing water to build up. This water will freeze when the temperature drops, which can create an ice dam and can damage your guttering. Make sure you clean out your gutters before the temperature drops to freezing so water can easily drain.
Hoses and taps
Don’t forget about your outdoor taps and hoses! They can freeze too. We recommend that you turn off the water supply to outdoor taps and drain and disconnect your hose, this will prevent freezing or damage to your taps and pipes. Store the hose inside a shed or your home until the warmer weather arrives. You can also use a jacket/cover to go over the tap to keep it insulated and stop it from freezing up.
Grease and Christmas cooking
The holidays are coming, if you’re cooking a festive meal it can be tempting to just get rid of that nasty grease down the sink. Don’t do it! This can freeze inside your pipes and wreak havoc with your plumbing, clogging up pipes and causing horrid smells.
Contact us in an emergency
If disaster strikes, such as a leak or flood call our team immediately and we will get the problem fixed as soon as possible. You can call our 24hr emergency line at 07849 086585.
Prioritise these maintenance tasks, and you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy a cosy and worry-free winter at home.
