5 Practical Ways To Winter-Proof Your Home
The frosty mornings and chilly nights are almost here, and the onset of wet and windy weather can test your property. So winter-proofing should be a priority whether you are hoping to keep your property safe and secure or looking to sell. After all, you also want to save some money on utilities amid increasing energy bills, and winter-proofing can be one solution. You will find the tips below useful to prepare your home for winter.
- Protect your roof
One of the biggest parts of your home that could incur damage due to poor winter weather is your roof, so ensure it is in decent shape before winter arrives. Try to avoid the stress and cost of hiring a roofer amid winter by ensuring that your roof is in excellent shape ahead of time. Clear your gutters and ensure no overhanging branches or surrounding trees might come off and destroy your roof in heavy snow or wind. If you have a chimney, don’t ignore it since water can leak through the uncovered parts, flowing back through your property and causing water damage to walls, paint, and your stunning wallpaper.
- Eliminate draught
Draught excluders do what they say and keep the frigid winds out, especially if you reside in an old . If you want to avoid purchasing something new, wrapping blankets in sausage shapes will suffice. You can also close the curtains or, even better, caulk any holes in your window panes or doors to keep the breeze out.
- Bleed your radiators
Bleeding your radiators at least twice yearly is key to keeping them efficient. The process will remove any trapped air that may have accumulated in the pipes, putting pressure on the boiler to heat the machines adequately. The simplest method is to feel whether the radiators are cold at the top and warm at the bottom. You can DIY your radiator bleeding if you have a radiator bleed key. It should be easy to get one at the local hardware store. You may also use things like a dishwashing basin, and tea towels to bleed your radiators.
- Check your snow blower
Be sure to prepare your snow removal equipment before strong gusts and flakes. If you last used your snow blower quite some time ago, you should update the engine. Before starting it, check the oil, spark plug, and air filter. After you’ve completed the basic maintenance, turn it on to confirm that everything is in working order. Lubricate the levers, chute, and other parts to ensure everything smoothly turns once you’re through. You can also get affordable replacement snow blower parts if you notice any severely damaged parts.
- Locate your stopcock
Now is a good time to look for your stopcock in your house. It resembles a garden tap or a lever and is frequently under your sink. You can turn it to completely shut off the water supply and prevent pressure buildup that could burst your pipes when there is an overflow or your pipes are frozen.