Whilst most of us are desperately willing away the rest of winter and clinging onto the hope that spring will soon be upon us, it might be time to face the damage our homes might have undergone during the colder months.
Not got anything to worry about? Double check the following, just to be sure:
Gutters
Debris from falling leaves and bad weather can leave gutters clogged up. This can result in roof damage, especially over flat roof extensions as I personally discovered. Clearing them out is a five minute job but procrastinating from it can cost you a small fortune. Get that ladder out and start clearing!
Driveway Damage
Inclement, cold weather over the winter months can cause small cracks in your driveway to become huge problems if not dealt with, thanks to frost heave. This is when the rain falls between the cracks and collects, then expands with the cold as it freezes. The driveway becomes more damaged with cracks and potholes and you can possibly be causing your car some issues too.
Radiator Hot and Cold Spots
Hot and cold spots in your radiator lowers their heating efficiency and results in higher bills for you. Bleeding your radiators helps to release the trapped air that has been building up pressure, in turn enabling the hot water to circulate efficiently once again. Frozen pipes can also be responsible for poor heating output. To avoid this from occurring, wrap any uninsulated pipes with foam. This first line of action is far cheaper to do and a lot less hassle than having to call out a plumber to fix frozen pipes in the midst of winter.
Roof Leaks
Roof leaks can be caused and further exacerbated by snow and heavy rainfall. Check your loft area for signs of damage and ensure it is adequately insulated to provide your home with extra warmth retention during the colder months.
Excessive Heat Loss
If your home seems to be losing a lot of heat, there are several things you can do. Most heat loss is caused by inadequate windows and loss through the roof. (We point up to the recommendation to insulate your loft in the previous paragraph!). If funds allow, replace the windows of your home with double glazed ones. If the budget is tight, heavyweight curtains, preferably thermal lined, combined with plastic weather insulation will help to keep heat loss to a minimum for little financial outlay.
Carrying out a few quick and easy checks throughout your home can save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run. So what are you waiting for? Off you go!
