Last week I blogged about the gardening tasks you can do in November to prepare your outdoor space for the wintry weather to come. So today I’m turning my attention to protecting and preparing your house, too, to ensure it stays warm, dry and cosy over the next few months – with tips for weatherproofing your property:
Inspect Your Roof
Stand back from your property and have a good look at the roof, assessing it carefully for any missing or loose tiles and pointing. Use binoculars if necessary and if you have access to the roof space from the inside, get up there and check it out in the daytime – a telltale sign of missing or damaged roof tiles is noticing a chink of daylight. If so, time to arrange some repairs.
Check the Boiler & Pipes
If a sudden cold snap strikes, you want your boiler to be able to spring into action. Has it had a service lately? An annual check up is advisable. Now is a good time to check it is in good working order, as an efficient boiler will help prevent frozen pipes. It would also be wise to bleed the radiators, to ensure you get the maximum benefit from them.
Assessing your pipes at this time will flag up any cracks, loose joints or missing insulation, as cold weather puts your pipes at risk of bursts and subsequent water damage.
Fill Any Gaps & Holes
Banish draughts and the risk of rain coming in and damaging the home by checking around windows and doors for cracks and holes. Small gaps can be filled with caulking, but for larger holes you may be better off using an expandable foam product.
Use an Exterior Wall Coating
Applying exterior wall coatings to external masonry is a tried and tested way to protect your property from moisture damage and moss. A damp patch on an external wall can eventually work its way into the inside, so prevent water penetration by using a resin based all weather coating. This product can be coloured like masonry paint, but with added flexibility and protection – plus it is even able to help reduce energy loss.
Guttering Maintenance
Gutters, downpipes and drains should be assessed for any damage. If leaves and debris have collected in the gutters you need to remove them to prevent leaks. If water is allowed to overflow it can cause damage and if it happens to freeze over on a pathway it can be a real hazard.
Prevent condensation and Mould
Condensation can lead to black mould in rooms like bathrooms and bedrooms if you’re not careful. Maintaining a minimum level of heating and having adequate ventilation and insulation will help to reduce condensation.
Damp proofing is the best way to safeguard against the build up of mould, bubbles under your wall paint and peeling wallpaper. The damp proofing cost will be far less than the cost of major repairs later on, so act now and secure your home against harsh weather conditions.
In summary, spending a weekend now on these essential maintenance jobs could save you in the long run. Why not take action and avoid the headache and expense of more serious repairs and fixes later in the year, as we head towards the winter months?
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© Copyright 2017 Antonia, All rights Reserved. Written For: Tidylife
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