Every homeowner will want their home to be a warm, welcoming and comfortable for the winter months. The harsh weather conditions can take their toll, so homeowners must know the best way to prepare their property for the winter months so that they can protect the home, stay warm and enjoy all the magical things about this time of the year. There are several steps to take to prepare your home for the winter properly, which will require some effort but will be worth it when you have a warm and cozy home to relax in throughout winter.
Get The Boiler ServicedÂ
One of the more critical things to do before the cold weather sets in is to have your boiler serviced. You will be relying heavily on the boiler throughout the winter months, and there is nothing worse than having no hot water or central heating in the middle of winter. You can avoid this by getting the boiler serviced before the cold weather sets in which should stop any of the main issues from occurring. Having your boiler serviced early on would allow you to make the necessary adjustments for repairs or maybe even a replacement. A boiler replacement is not something you do regularly, since most boilers usually last decades before needing a replacement. But if you’re long over due for a boiler upgrade, you can check this out: Alpha boiler review 2021 for you to be able to decide on what boiler would be perfect for your home.
Have Insulation Installed
If you do not have it already, it is a smart idea to insulate your home, which can make a huge difference during the winter months. Insulation helps to retain the warmth of the central heating while keeping the cold air out which not only keeps the home warm but also helps you to save on your energy bills because you will not need to use it as much to keep the home warm – this is also environmentally-friendly.
Find & Exclude Drafts
Following this point, you should also try to find and exclude any drafts. Drafts can be incredibly frustrating as a homeowner as they are very small but can end up being costly as they will see you lose a lot of warmth and allow cold air to come through, increasing your need to use the heating. Fortunately, it is possible to find and fix them so that you can keep the home warm without constantly having to have the heating on.Â
Clear The Gutters
The autumn months can leave the gutters filled with debris which can stop water from draining properly. This is why you need to get up on a ladder and clear the gutters before the harsh winter months arrive and when it is safe to do so. This will ensure that the water flows properly and away from your home so that you can avoid any kind of costly water damage.
Clean The Chimney
If you are fortunate enough to have a fireplace in your home, then you will certainly want to make good usage of this during the winter months as there are few better ways to get warm and cozy. It would be incredibly dangerous to simply start using the fireplace, though, which is why you need to get the chimney professionally cleaned and inspected. This will ensure that it is safe to use and that there will not be a carbon monoxide buildup that flows back into the home when you use the fireplace for the first time.
Check Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Following this, you also need to check that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working as winter is a dangerous time of the year for these hazards. Replace any batteries that need replacing and consider buying more detectors if you do not have enough throughout the home.
Check The Roof
There is no feature of the home more important than the roof during the winter months as the harsh weather conditions can take their toll. This means that the roof needs to be in the best possible condition before the weather starts to turn, so you need to inspect the roof for any signs of damage. You should use a reputable roofing company to either repair any problems that you have with the roof or if you need an entirely new roof so that you can rest assured knowing that you have the best possible protection in place for this winter and beyond.
Protect Your Pipes
One of the most widespread household problems in the winter months is frozen and burst pipes which can cause a lot of stress. You will want to avoid this problem for many reasons, and a quick and easy way to do this is simply to protect the pipes with a foam layer which will help to keep them warm even when the temperature drops significantly.Â
Use Thick Curtains
The winter is a good time to switch to thick curtains which will help in a few ways. A lot of heat loss occurs through windows so thick curtains will act as a barrier which will help to keep the warm air in and the cold air out, plus they will also help to make the room look much warmer and cozier so that you can feel comfortable and settled when relaxing at home.
Bleed The Radiators
You will want your central heating system to be working as efficiently as possible in the winter months so that you can keep the home warm while reducing your energy bills. It is a smart idea to bleed your radiators before the cold weather sets in so that the hot water can circulate properly around the home – this is a particularly important step to take if you find that your radiators get warm at the bottom but not at the top.
Switch To A Smart Thermostat
Smart technology can be used in all kinds of innovative ways around the home, but one of the best uses is a smart thermostat. This gives you much greater control over your central heating so that you can be more intelligent with your usage, such as turning the heating on via your smartphone when you are on your way home so that you will return to a warm house without having had the heating on all day.
Follow these steps, and your home will be fully prepared for the winter months, and it will be a warm and comfortable space to spend time.
