Every season brings a new set of challenges when it comes to maintaining your property, and perhaps no time of year can present as many challenges as winter. To help, we’ve provided you with expert advice from our Chartered Surveyors to give you some top tips for keeping your home in good working order until springtime rolls around.
Evaluate your Insurance
Sometimes no amount of planning and preparation can prevent the weather damaging your property. Buildings insurance offers peace of mind, so ensure your policy is up to date and covers what you need it to.
Water Penetration
Clean out the gutters, disconnect and drain all outside hoses. If possible, shut off outside water valves. During cold spells, keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes, particularly those in the kitchen and bathrooms.
Roof Maintenance
Let warm air into your roofspace by keeping the trap door open
Garden Care
To avoid build-up of leaves in the guttering, the best thing to do is to prune your trees before winter really kicks in. This can also help with avoiding snow building up on the trees, which with it brings the risk of damage from broken branches.
And if you’re planning on a holiday during the winter months…
- Leave your heating on for at least an hour a day while you are away from home
- In severe weather, or if severe weather is forecast, you should leave your heating on day and night at your usual temperature setting
- If you’re going to be away for a while, consider turning off your inside stop tap and draining the system so there is no water in the pipes to freeze.
- If high winds are forecast, make sure objects such as garden furniture or ladders are fully secured
- In severe weather, consider asking a friend or relative to visit your home every day while you are away. This will mean that, if you do suffer a burst pipe, it will be detected as soon as possible. Make sure that they know where the stop tap or stopcock is located.
If you would like to have a survey of your property completed whether a homebuyers report or a building survey, then please contact the Watsons Valuation & Survey Department on 01603 751577 or email survey@watsons-property.co.uk.
