Experts 7 essential tips to protect your home this winter

According to a new survey of 500 UK homeowners, conducted by David Wilson Homes, 7 in 10 (69%) said they are concerned about how cold might damage their homes. The survey also revealed which winter home tasks the British consumers found to be the most challenging:

David Wilson Homes encourages homeowners to follow these essential tips to keep their homes well-protected as temperatures begin to fall.

1. Check your roof/attic for leaks and clear gutters

Strong winds and storms can damage tiles and create holes in your roof that water can leak in from. 

During winter, particularly during extreme weather, be sure to regularly check your roof space for any leaks. Even a small leak can be devastating to a home as poor weather conditions can worsen existing issues.

If you do discover a leak, contact a professional as soon as possible. A local tradesperson will advise you on long-term solutions and potentially some short-term fixes. 

You could also consider boosting your insulation in your loft. Older homes often don’t have good insulation in the loft, which is a huge source of heat loss. The recommended amount of insulation is 400-450mm, in line with new-build homes. There are Government grants available to help with the cost of increasing insulation in your home.

Whilst you want your home to be free of draughts, it is also important to ensure that there is good ventilation to prevent mould. This can be as simple as opening windows and patio doors in the morning to let air to circulate, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens, even if the days are chilly.

Also, take this time to clean out your gutters. Autumn is notorious for fallen leaves and moss blocking gutters, which can stop rainwater from draining away from your house. Instead, it can pool on your roof and leak into your home through small cracks. These blockages can also create damp environments where insects and rodents can thrive. Clear them out as soon as possible to prevent pests from settling in.

2. Check your boiler

It’s really important to get your boiler checked once a year, whether you live in a new build home or an older home.

You can also do some basic boiler checks. Look for any unfamiliar smells or stains around the boiler and ensure that you have working smoke alarms upstairs and downstairs, and fit a carbon monoxide detector close to your boiler.

3. Block draughts

Draughty homes are not only inefficient, but they can also be damaging to your health. Before cold weather arrives, try to locate any draughty areas around your home so that you can fix them before freezing temperatures set in. 

Many older homes with hardwood front doors will experience worse draughts in the winter as they are susceptible to expanding in heat and contracting in the cold, meaning gaps around the frame will become even wider.

To combat this, invest in a draught exclusion runner to go along the bottom of your door. You can also purchase lengths of gap sealer to run around the frame, preventing cold air from blowing in around the door frame.

Gaps in your window frames can cause similar problems. One of the most effective ways to stop draughts is by sealing gaps around your windows. You can use weatherstripping or draught excluders to seal these gaps. Weatherstripping is available in various materials, such as foam, rubber, or metal, and can be easily applied to the window frame.

If you already have UPVC windows with draught excluders, it’s good to check these for wear and tear to ensure that they are still working well.

4. Bleed your radiators

While you can bleed your radiators at any time, it’s a good idea to do this before the cold weather comes. You’ll know when your radiators need bleeding, as the bottom half will become hot while the top remains cold. This is a 15-minute task which could make a massive difference to how your home heats. 

According to our survey, almost a third of British homeowners (31%) don’t know how to bleed a radiator. 

Before you begin, the first thing you’ll need to do is turn off your central heating and make sure the radiators are cool - this is incredibly important as you can easily burn yourself if you attempt to bleed hot radiators. You’ll also want to identify the bleed valve, usually at the top of the radiator on one side. Have a bowl and towel handy to catch any water that escapes from the radiators. 

To bleed the radiators, use your radiator key and turn the bleed valve anti-clockwise until you hear the hissing of air escaping. Once all of the trapped air has been released, the hissing will stop and water will begin to leave the valve, that’s when it’s time to close the valve again. After this, your radiator should work much more efficiently. 

5. Insulate pipes to prevent freezing

Frozen pipes can pose significant danger to your home over winter. When water freezes inside your pipes, it expands and could cause pipes to burst. 

The most effective way to prevent your pipes from freezing is to insulate your pipes and water tanks. This is especially important if you have outdoor pipes or pipes running through cold areas of your home, such as a loft, basement, or garage. 

Insulating your pipes doesn’t have to be expensive and can be done as a DIY job. You can buy foam pipe insulation rather cheaply, though better quality insulators will set you back more. Most pipe insulation comes as a foam tube which you can push onto your pipes. For more awkward bends, you can also use insulating wraps to cover that section of pipe. 

Make sure you know the measurements for your pipes and water tanks before you purchase any insulation and avoid using potentially flammable materials.

6.  Have gritting salt ready to de-ice drives and paths

Buying gritting salt is something that many people don’t think about until they find their driveway or paths frozen and a hazard.

Gritting your walkways and driveways can make a huge difference and prevent any unwanted trips or falls. Gritting is especially important if you live on an incline or have steps leading to your home.

7. Keep warm clothes and blankets ready

While it may seem obvious, have an ample supply of warm clothes and blankets to keep out the cold.

If you experience burst pipes or a power outage during a cold snap, your heating may fail. Without central heating, temperatures can drop quickly, especially if your home is poorly insulated. As this is the time that tradespeople are experiencing their busiest time, they may be delayed from reaching you. 

To stay safe, have warm clothing and blankets at hand to keep you comfortable in these situations. Layering up with thermal wear, sweaters, and thick socks can help to retain body heat. It’s also a good idea to keep some warm blankets in your car.

By being prepared, you can ensure that you and your family remain warm and safe, even at the coldest time of year.

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