Now is the perfect time to start winter-proofing your home so that it is protected once the frigid weather comes along. Then you can enjoy all of those cozy nights beside the fire with mince pies and mulled wine in peace without having to worry bout the roof caving in or your home being deluged with water.
Here is how you can start winter-proofing your home right now before it is too late.
Clear the Gutters
One of the simplest but most important things you can do when winter-proofing your home best as possible is to get up on your ladder and clean out the gutters. Water, leaves, and snow can be a deadly combination that will overload your gutters and cause them to bend, break, or fall leaving your home unable to cope with excess levels of water.
Luckily, it is really easy to clear them out with little more than a ladder and a decent pair of gloves. Ensure you remove everything from leaves and moss to twigs and dirt so that they can take whatever the winter months throw at them more easily. Run a little water through the gutters once you are done just to be sure they are fully clear.
Inspect the Roof
While you are up cleaning the gutters and winter-proofing, you may want to perform an inspection of the roof too. A roof that is cracked or which has loose tiles is not a roof that is going to see you safely for winter and calling in roofing contractors now will save you a whole lot of trouble when the wind picks up, the snow starts to fall and the rain comes down thick and fast. Just be very careful when you are up there!
Increase Insulation
Winter-proofing by insulating your home is smart because not only will it ensure that you are toasty warm no matter what the winter weather brings, but it will also help to keep your fuel costs low too.
There are numerous ways to insulate your home from filling cavities with pink insulation strips or other insulating substances to using draft excluders and heavy curtains to keep the cold out and the warmth in.
Inspect your home and find as many sources of drafts as you can, and then work your way around them sealing up cracks, insulating cavities, etc., until your home is as warm and secure as possible, and you will not regret it.
Service the Furnace or Heating System
Whatever heating system you have in place. Now is the time to check that it is in good working order. You can do this by turning it on for a few hours to see how well it work.
If it is not as efficient as you would like, it may be worth having ti serviced by a professional who will get it back up to standard. In fact, having your boiler, HVAC, or whatever, serviced ahead of winter is something you should probably do anyway because then there will be less chance of it failing when you need it most.
Final Thoughts on Winter-proofing Your Home
So now you have the information you need to start winter-proofing your home before the nasty, cold weather hits for winter. Making these improvements can not only prepare you for the colder months, but these changes can even save you money on the utility bills as well.
Once all that is done, all that remains is to light a few candles, switch to thicker blankets, light the fire, and enjoy your home! How do you go about winter-proofing your home? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comment box below to help others.
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