Date Published 19 December 2023
5 Tips for preparing your property this Winter and over the Festive Period
1. Radiators
To ensure your radiators are working properly, turn the heating up for an hour and check if they have warmed up correctly. If they feel cold or fail to heat up at the top, it's best to bleed the radiator using a bleeding key to release excess air.
We advise you to bleed your radiators regularly to maintain them.
2. Condensation
It's important to regularly ventilate the property to avoid condensation which can lead to dampness. Opening a window to promote air flow is great in the warmer months, although now it's winter, we advise keeping your heating at a continuously low temperature. This is to prevent the glass from getting cold to stop condensation from forming.
3. Draughts
Identifying draughts and sealing them is an effective way to prevent heat from escaping and to keep the property warm. You can find adhesive draft excluders from Amazon to seal door-frames and windows. If you have an open chimney, you will lose a lot of heat so it's wise to install a chimney draught excluder; ‘Chimney Balloon' and ‘Chimney Sheep'.
4. Frozen Pipes
Water in the pipes can freeze when the temperature drops below zero. Pipes are at risk of bursting because water expands as it freezes causing it to buckle and split. Signs such as gurgling sounds from your central heating, no water coming out of your taps, and clogged sinks can indicate that you have frozen pipes. To prevent this from happening, our plumbers advise you to keep your home thermostat above 12 degrees Celsius whether you're home or away for Christmas.
5. Garden Maintenance
With windier weather, there's a risk that leaves and debris will blow into your gutters and drainpipes get blocked. If this builds up, the water will leak into the roof and the sides of your property. This can be prevented by pruning your leaves and identifying if any trees pose a risk.
