Whether you look forward to winter all year or you curse the day the leaves begin to fall, there’s no way to avoid the cold seasons coming. Before winter descends upon us this year, there are several tasks you should complete to protect your home and your family until spring. Countries worldwide are falling victim to more extreme weather conditions because of climate change and, with temperatures dipping as low as -23°C[i] in the U.K. last winter, it’s best to prepare for this one. Here are the essential winter maintenance tasks, indoors and outdoors, that you need to get ahead on this month for a truly merry and bright season, complete with an easy to follow winter home maintenance checklist.
Indoors
These indoor winter maintenance tasks are essential to the safety of your home, so make sure you tick them all off. They’ll reduce the chance of severe damage or risk to you and your home during the season when accidents are most likely, so protect yourself early this year.
Clean and Repair Your Fireplace and Chimney
If you’re lucky enough to have an open fireplace, make giving it a good clean the first thing you do. Although you can call in a professional, this is a reasonably easy job to do yourself. Just make sure that there are no cracks or obstructions up the chimney, as these will need removing professionally. Furthermore, look out for a creosote build-up. Creosote is a chemical compound that sets on fire easily. A licensed contractor will need to remove it as soon as possible, or it may lead to a house fire.
Check Smoke Alarms
A shocking 1 in 10 households in the U.K. don’t have smoke alarms[ii], and you are twice as likely to die in a house fire without a working smoke alarm[iii]. So make sure you check yours now! Ensure that you have smoke alarms and that they’re working so you won’t have to worry about any disasters over the winter when you use heat sources and electrical appliances more often.
Stop Pipes from Freezing
Water expands as it freezes, and this is what causes burst pipes in winter. Take precautions early by insulating your pipes – some easy long-term solutions include heating cables and tape. Pipes most at risk of bursting are outdoors or in unheated areas, such as the loft or garage, so it’s best to start with these first. Also, ensure that any outside taps are drained and turned off to prevent these from bursting too.
Check Your Heating
In the middle of a frost, the last thing you want to find out is that your heating doesn’t work, so check it before it gets too cold. Boiler systems need cleaning, PVC vent pipes clearing, and gas heating needs a thorough clean at least every three years. If any maintenance or fixes need doing, get them done now before it’s too late! Should you need brand new heating, opt for efficient options that will save you quite a bit of money over winter, such as multi-room underfloor heating kits.
Maintain Your Sump Pump
A sump pump is what keeps basements and cellars dry by pumping water away from the house. Basements and cellars aren’t all that common in the U.K., so this one can be easy to forget, but you’ll want to do it before the worst of the weather sets in. Make sure the sump pump is clean, free of any debris and that the float switch turns the pump on and off correctly. If any issues arise, fix them as soon as possible for complete peace of mind.
Check Insulation
The insulation in lofts, walls and floors is vital to keeping warm during winter. Not to mention it will save you a ton on energy bills too! Check if your current insulation is sufficient, and if not, get some put in. You can do this yourself, but using a professionals are best to avoid any mishaps. If you don’t have insulation in your house at all, now’s the time to consider adding some to your roof, loft, floors and walls this year – it’s going to be a cold winter!
Seal Off Any Openings
Many houses have small cracks around windows and doors. Although it may not seem like a big deal, those tiny cracks can have a severe effect on how much heat your home holds. Use a good-quality sealant to cover the air leaks and insulate your home more efficiently. You could save up to 10% on your energy and gas bills by sealing your windows and doors[iv], so get to work before it gets too cold!
Maintain Your Hot Water Cylinder
If you have a hot water cylinder that provides your hot water, it needs inspecting and servicing annually. There’s no better time to do this than just before you’re going to need it!
Reverse Ceiling Fans
With the hot summer we’ve had this year, nobody could blame you for splashing out on a ceiling fan. That God-send in summer can quickly become a nightmare in winter, though, so make sure that you alter the spinning direction of the blades. Reversing their spin and running the fan on low will force hot air downwards, generating heat when you most need it.
Outdoors
Although outdoors is the last place you want to be when it’s getting colder, you have to make sure you take care of these jobs! You don’t want anyone getting hurt on your property, and a tiny bit of maintenance is all that’s needed to ensure your garden is ready for the winter.
Protect Entryways
Gathering ice and mud can quickly become a danger in doorways, so make sure you to place doormats in and outdoors. Provide coat racks and shoe trays nearby, too, so guests can dispose of wet clothes. Finally, make sure to inspect any railings or steps and get them repaired if needed.
Check The Roof
Before winter truly sets in, make sure to check your roof thoroughly. Any loose or missing shingles could lead to melting snow leaks, so get them sorted before it’s too late. Plus, if you regularly experience icicles and ice dams, take steps to reduce the chances before they form. Proper insulation, venting or heat cables are all perfect for this. While you’re up there, check for any broken seals around vents and chimneys, too. These can cause flooding if not caught in time.
Clean Up The Garden
Your garden will be littered with leaves and dying tree branches, so get rid of these before the first frost. Wind and snow may break off dying branches, so trim these down. Also, trim any overhanging branches that hang close to the house and driveway.
Rake over the lawn well to remove any old leaves. These can cause the grass to blacken and be a potential hazard if you’re walking in the snow, so get rid of them early.
Lastly, prune your plants! This will help them withstand the season, so don’t wait until the spring!
Clear Out The Gutters
Free your gutters of any fallen debris like leaves, sticks or pine cones so heavy rains and melting snow will drain adequately. Also, to protect lofts and basements, direct downspouts away from your home.
Protect Patio Furniture
Where possible, patio furniture should be stored inside, in a shed or in your home. If this isn’t possible, you can buy a tarp or specialist cover that will do the trick. Just make sure that you leave the bottom uncovered for proper circulation. If your patio furniture is wooden, it’s best to treat it with a wood preserver before putting it away or covering it.
Check Outdoor Lighting
Make sure all your outdoor lights are working correctly before the darker nights start to set in. After a long day at work, the last thing you want is to go flying on an icy patch that you missed in the dark, so check motion sensor lights as a priority.
Store Away Seasonal Tools
Put all your summer tools – pruning shears, shovels, rakes – in a shed, garage or cupboard in the house if you have one big enough. If you’d like, coat your tools with coconut, linseed or vegetable oil before storing to prevent them from rusting over winter.
Protect Plant Pots
Porcelain and clay plant pots are prone to cracking in cold weather because water gets trapped, freezes and expands. To prevent this, clear them of soil and store them inside or in the shed on their side, well protected from any heavy objects.
Be Prepared
The proper preparation for winter could be the difference between costly damage and a breezy season. So try and get ahead on these winter maintenance tasks before the worst of the weather sets in, and you’ll be in for a happy, safe winter.
Sources
[i] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/11/uk-weather-extreme-freeze-could-cause-travel-meltdown-across/
[ii] https://www.lifeline24.co.uk/fire-safety-smoke-alarms/