This year has already been one for some pretty extraordinary weather events, with heatwaves followed by over a week of pouring showers. There’s some indication that there may very well be a cold snap to bring us into a very chilly winter, as well. As such, it’s important to make sure that your home is ready to face the cold head-on.
Link – CC0 License
Keep everything ticking
The first priority should be making sure that you’re able to safely and reliably heat up the home. To that end, take the time to check on your heating system. You can check your heater for signs that it might need a repair but if it has been over a year since you last had it looked at by a professional, then you may want to hire an engineer to come and give it a servicing. Without their care, there’s no way to make sure that your heater will stay effective and efficient throughout the winter.
Stay topped up
Of course, aside from making sure that your heating systems are working, you will also want to ensure that you have the power to keep them going as well. To that end, it’s time to check the level and fill up on oil if you use it to heat the home. You may even want to buy oil tanks so you can have more on reserve to get you through the season. Of course, if you use gas, then you don’t need to worry about that.
Secure the perimeter
Your family’s finances are going to suffer if you cannot heat the home efficiently. If your heating is working fine, then this might be happening because the heat is being let out of the home, often due to air leaks. Check your doors and windows for air leaks, which can sometimes be felt around the edges or you can use a piece of paper. If it gets sucked flush to the seam or flutters near it, then you may want to invest in some weatherstripping to close those games and think about replacing the windows or doors in the long term.
Eyes up top
It’s not just the windows and doors that can let the cold encroach in your home, but the roof can prove to be a problem as well. It’s worth having a professional take a look up there for any signs of disrepair, such as broken tiles, cracked or missing tiles, and even signs that your roof might be well past its best days. When a roof is no longer effective, it starts to become more porous, meaning the cold and rain can more easily get through. Not only can this lead to a colder house, but also damp and mould spreading inside.
Once the cold gets into your home, it can be difficult to get it out again until it subsides. Make sure that you’re checking all your heating resources and making sure that your home is snug and secure so you can get through the cold snap in comfort and safety.
Laura x