Winter Worries: Making Your Home Ready for the Cold
There is a lot to like about the winter, even if summer is considered to be the season most people enjoy above all others. Wrapping up warm and cozy in the house, and looking out the windows onto a sheet of white snow (if you happen to live somewhere with the right climate), are some of the simplest joys in life. And winter is always going to be easier to enjoy if you are prepared for it. Being personally prepared is one thing: perhaps more important is making sure that your home is able to deal with the change in seasons.
Check roofs and gutters
As far as exterior checks go, there is possibly no more important consideration than the roof and gutters of your home. The roof is the first line of defence against the harsher weather conditions, deflecting away rain, sleet, snow and high winds. It is, of course, easier for it to do that if there isn’t existing damage, so make sure everything is solidly in place whether it’s slate, shingle or any other covering, and make any repairs as a matter of urgency. Also, clear the gutters until they’re completely free of leaves and any other detritus – if gutters become blocked, the mess can then freeze and structurally damage the pipes and even the walls on which they are secured.
Check on insulation
If you want to enjoy the winter from inside your home, then you’ll want to be as warm as practically possible, and the best way to ensure this is to make sure your home is well-insulated. If you’ve noticed that some areas of your home are always cold, or take a while to warm up, it is a good idea to get in contact with insulation companies who can take a look at where your house could do with some assistance in keeping the warm air in and the colder stuff out. Even if it has been insulated in the past, it is not impossible that insulation has shifted over time and either a top-up or remedial addition could be to your benefit.
Trim overhanging branches
Trees around a home can be a wonderful thing all year round – they offer pleasant shade in summer and can flower or deliver fruit. In the winter, they are an excellent defense against flooding. Do be aware, though, that as winds get higher, trees can present a hazard with branches snapping off, which can then damage the outside of your home or anything else you keep nearby. Trim back the worst of the overgrown branches, if there are any, as these are the main candidates to break and cause damage. The higher the winds the greater the concern, but a knowledgeable tree surgeon will be able to advise you on what’s needed.
If you’re going away for a spell
Sometimes you’ll visit family for the holidays, and if you’re going to be off the property overnight, potentially for a few days, it is advisable to keep the home warm while you’re away. Look to have the thermostat set to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and if you can, open the attic door to allow air to circulate in the house. This will help keep interior plumbing operating as it should be and avoid frozen pipes and similar damage.
