Keep warm and save money this winter. Winter can be the perfect time of year to cosy up and enjoy snuggling in the comfort of your home. But with the cold winter months comes the risks of serious damage to your property, which could end up costing a fortune to repair. In this article, we look at some ways you can plan ahead, and prevent any unexpected damage.
1. Check for Drafts
Leaks and drafts coming into your home through cracks in doors and windows stop your heating working to its full potential and will leave you with high energy bills. Insulate your windows with double or triple glazing to prevent drafts and keep in the heat. You can also buy foam draft excluders, cover letter boxes, and use thick blackout curtains
2. Have your Chimney Inspected
If you have a decorative fireplace, this could be where you’re losing valuable heat. Investing in a chimney balloon can prevent heat escaping and cold winter air from coming in. Just remember it needs to be removed for starting a fire later on.
3. Free the Radiators
Having large furniture pressed up against the radiators can absorb most of the heat. Free up the space around your radiators to prevent this. You can also put aluminium foil behind the radiators on exterior walls to reflect the heat back into the room.
4. Cover Bare Floors
Laminate and hard wood can be a big source of heat escaping. Covering up floors with rugs and carpets will keep heat in and your feet warm.
5. Check your Gutters and Drainage
Well maintained gutters can reduce the need to replace them, and the chance of roof damage so clean out gutters regularly. The weight of ice also causes gutters to pull away from the house, and water in gutters can lead to rotting wood, and roof damage. Leaking gutters can also contribute to penetration damp, as water spills out down exterior walls.
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