Follow our tips to keep your home safe and warm against winter weather.
Pre-snow and frost checks
1.Get roof ready
Aim to get your roof inspected by a professional at least twice a year. Look out for debris from broken slates or tiles on the ground surrounding your property and keep your eyes peeled for leaning chimneys, as these could be tell-tale signs that your roof needs some TLC.
2.Protect your pipes
To prevent pipes from freezing as it gets cooler, insulate all external pipes (where possible) with weather-resistant insulation as well as those in unheated internal areas such as crawl spaces, garages and lofts.
3.Heads up for header tanks
If your header tank is stored in your loft, make sure it’s properly insulated against the elements. Failing to do this could cause the water in the tank to freeze and expand in cold temperatures, leading to splits and cracks in its walls.
4.Ditch the draughts
Invest in weather stripping to help keep more warm air inside and chilly draughts out. Easy to fit and cheap to purchase, this method can even help improve the heat efficiency of your home.
5.Get your mitts on some grit
It’s also a good idea to build your own stash of sand and grit to use with your snow shovel to keep your property’s paths and steps safe in freezing conditions.
6.Guard your green space
Bring potted plants inside and mulch outdoor plants before clearing away garden hoses, furniture and toys to prevent them from becoming obstacles in heavy snow. It’s also a good idea to get pruning back any overhanging branches that are likely to collect snow as the added weight could cause them to break, which could result in damage to other areas of your property.
7.Fireplaces
If you’re lucky enough to be able to chill out and watch the flames dance around your open fires on dark nights, cleaning out your fireplace should be a burning issue before the onset of winter. Clean out your chimney to remove soot, blockages and built-up creosote to help improve the air ventilation of your room.
8.Park up
If possible, keep your vehicles in a garage or under cover. If you must park out in the open, make sure your vehicle is kept away from buildings and trees, where it’s more likely that falling clumps of snow or ice could result in some nasty damage.
9.Show your loft some love
It’s imperative that your loft is properly insulated and ventilated. If it’s too warm during snowfall it can result in the formation of an ice dam. This is when snow melts quicker on the upper, hotter part of the roof and the resulting water runs toward the colder eave and freezes into ice, blocking the guttering. As this ridge of ice accumulates over time it can back up under the roof shingles (where it melts again) causing damage to walls, ceilings, attics, insulation and, in worst case scenarios, living spaces.
10.Stock up
To avoid the retail rush, keep a home emergency kit on hand so you can stay cosy and calm if the weather worsens. This should include non-perishable food, drinking water, spare batteries, a torch, first aid kit, warm, water-proof clothing, blankets, important insurance documents, instructions on how to turn off mains supplies and emergency contact numbers.
When freezing weather is in full swing
1.Keep your home hot
Try to keep the heating on for at least an hour a day to keep your home warm and water running through your pipes.
2.Don’t panic about pipes
When it’s freezing outside, burst pipes can be one of the biggest risks to the interior of your home, so if a long cold snap is forecast, leave the cabinet doors under sinks open to allow heat to circulate and help prevent any potential pipe problems.
3.How to thaw out frozen pipes
1. Check for leaking joints or bursts in the pipes. Do not attempt to thaw out frozen pipes by turning on your central heating boiler.
2. Once you’ve located any frozen sections, gently heat with a hot water bottle, hairdryer or heated cloth.
4.If you have a burst pipe
1. Locate your stop valve and turn off the water as quickly as you can. If you have a major leak, it’s a good idea to turn off your electricity mains too.
2. Turn on all cold taps to drain the system. Never turn on the hot taps as your hot water cylinder may collapse if the pipes on its route are frozen.
5.Keep it clear
A snow shovel and a stash of grit will be your most effective combination to keeping the paths and stairs around your property clear, safe and ice-free. In the event of heavy snowfall, try to remove build-ups (if it’s safe to do so) so that you have ease of access in and out of your property.
6.Stay on weather watch
Listen out for weather updates across TV and local radio and keep an eye on the Met Office’s weather warnings so you know when the worst of the weather will pass or if you need to consider changing your plans if the situation deteriorates.
When the weather begins to thaw
1.Assess the situation
Once it’s safe to go outside, it’s time to inspect how your property has fared against the winter bite. Start by checking for frozen pipes on the exterior of your home and begin clearing the surrounding paths, using grit and salt to prevent ice and frost from reforming. When it comes to inspecting the health of your roof, never inspect it on your own as conditions are likely to still be too precarious. Instead, take a ground’s eye view and if you suspect that your guttering is blocked or an ice dam has formed, call in the professionals to get your roof right as rain.
2.If the worst happens
No matter how much you prepare, sometimes damage from winter weather is unavoidable. If you’re unlucky enough to have your property damaged by wintry conditions, don’t get frustrated – act. Contact your home insurer as soon as you can to seek out advice on next steps before documenting the extent of the damage by snapping plenty of photos.
3.Take time to reflect
When your house is shipshape once again, it might be a good idea to take stock of what you’ve learned and update your home emergency plans and kit accordingly. It’s also worth considering whether the current level of home insurance you have is suited to your needs, or whether it’s time to enhance your cover for additional peace of mind.
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