Winter is fast approaching which means for most of us in the northern hemisphere, bad weather is imminent. From freezing temperatures and heavy snow to driving rain and gale force winds, seasonal winter weather is harsh to say the least. Not only does it mean you have to completely change your wardrobe to protect your body from the cold, but it also means you need to take extra steps to protect your home from the elements.
You might think that the brick walls and insulation of your house are enough to keep your home in tip-top condition during winter, but this isn’t the case. There are a number of things you can do to make sure your property is up to the job and doesn’t fall victim to the cold weather. Implementing the simple tips below will protect you from potentially expensive repairs, as well as helping you retain heat and save money on energy bills.
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1. Buy draught excluders
The first way you can protect your home from the effects of winter is to buy draught excluders. These are particularly useful in old houses and big rooms that are hard to heat and that lose a lot of warmth. They’re also excellent for putting across the foot of external doors, be them front or back, during adverse weather conditions like storms when there is a lot of wind blowing.
You can buy a range of draught excluders that match any décor, including in varying shapes, textures, colors, and fabric types. This means when not in use during summer, your draught excluders won’t look out of place. They’re both handy and good looking, a win-win!
2. Put up thick blackout curtains
On a similar wavelength, putting up thick blackout curtains is a great way to retain heat in your property during winter, especially if you have big windows or anything less than triple glazing. We’d recommend blackout curtains in the living room and bedroom, but you can also use them in conservatories if you want to be able to use it all year round without getting too cold.
Thick curtains will allow you to keep your vents open and maintain air circulation, therefore preventing the chances of damp in your house, but they’ll keep the cold edge of the draught away. Not just this, but they will also block out persistent sunlight, allowing you to sleep better in the mornings.
Like draught excluders, you can buy blackout curtains in every color and design to suit all windows.
3. Keep gutters and drains clear
Moving away from keeping the cold out, you need to make sure you’re working to keep water out, too. One of the most effective and easiest ways to do this is to make sure your gutters are clear from debris and water. If you don’t, you’ll end up with blockages which could damage the guttering and cause damp problems such as penetrating damp.
Generally speaking, checking your gutters after every storm and just before the onset of the bad weather will be sufficient. Make sure you clear away everything you see and replace the guttering as and when it needs it. Whilst you’re up there, it’s also worth checking your roof to make sure there are no loose tiles.
4. Insulate external pipes
If the weather forecast speculates below freezing temperatures, it’s a good idea to wrap your external pipes up. This will keep the snow and ice off of them and provide a layer of insulation that will keep them from freezing over and potentially causing costly damage to your exterior pipes.
Hopefully, these four tips are enough to keep your home protected during winter. Do you have any of your own tips to share?
