The gap between now and winter is quickly depleting, and it seems as if Christmas is only around the corner. Therefore, you need to ensure your home is properly winter-proofed, so no hidden nuisances can rear their ugly heads and cause havoc to your family home. Although maintenance and general upkeep seems like a chore, it is, however, incredibly important. A faulty plumbing issue caused by too-cold weather can turn a family’s life upside down, and an untended pathway can cause accidents. Here’s how to ensure your home is ready for winter.
Get Your Heating Checked
With plummeting weather, you don’t want to run the risk of experiencing a temperamental heating system. Instead, you want to ensure your home is kept pleasantly warm. Therefore, test your boiler by turning on your heating and keep tabs on the radiators in your home. Take note of any that aren’t emitting a lot of heat, and call in a professional to check your boiler if a problem appears. Another means of checking your home’s heating is by bleeding the radiators. You don’t want to leave your central heating to chance.
Clear the Gutters and Drains
You won’t want to spend too much time maintaining the outside of the house during winter, so this is the most ideal time to ensure your gutters and drains are taken care of before it becomes too cold outside. By leaving the gutters and drains for lengthy amounts of time, you’re running the risks of leaves and other bits of debris causing leaks that can appear in your roof and walls.
Check Your Plumbing
Prevent your pipes from freezing, and find a plumber online. Have them inspect your pipes; you may find out that your plumbing is currently unprotected, and that you need to invest in lagging (a foam layer) to stop them from freezing and bursting. You should also check if there is any vegetation, and remove any.
Improve Your Insulation
Roughly, a quarter of your home’s heat is lost through the roof, and many homes leave this room unattended 
and unthought-of, and many rooms of certain houses, especially those that are older, don’t have cavity wall insulation or double glazing, though many people wish to keep the integrity of their older architecture. Proper insulation is not only smart but vital to keeping your family comfortably warm. Nowadays, triple glazing is the new double glazing, and if you’re worried about cost, the government can provide schemes and grants.
Inspect the Chimney
Having a chimney in your home adds a wealth of character, however, it can also add an uncomfortable draught. Make sure your chimney is well-kept. Sweep it often, especially if you use it during the winter months. If you don’t use your chimney, and it’s purely decoration, keep hot air inside and cold air outside by shoving a pillow inside it, or by using a chimney balloon. If you’re worried about damp, the chimney balloon leaves a small amount of ventilation to counter this issue.
