Hey, where did that warm weather suddenly go?! The changing of seasons between summer and autumn may well be the most sudden and severe, so now is the perfect time to make sure your home is properly protected against the elements.
If your home is damaged and it’s deemed to be the fault of poor maintenance, there’s a good chance your insurance will not pay out, so it might be really worth your while at least having a look to see if there are jobs that can be done.
Some work might leave you with a hefty bill, so check your financial situation before going ahead with anything.
Is your insulation up to scratch?
Get up into your roof space and check if your insulation is keeping the heat in your home. Poorly insulated spaces could leave you forking out £250 more per year in energy bills, while clicking that thermostat up more often will also have a knock-on effect on the environment.
A typical installation will cost between £300-£400, so you can clearly see that they outlay will soon pay for itself many times over!
Close off draughts
While you’re on a mission to keep more heat in your home, take a look at your doors and windows – are they producing costly draughts?
Make sure any entrance doors are fitted with draught protectors, and check windows and the surrounding walls for cracks. A small touch-up could end up saving you plenty.
Examine roof
Back up to the top of your house – this time we’re looking to protect against damage. Can you spot any loose or broken roof tiles? Getting them fixed now, while the weather is still more on the favourable side is a serious recommendation.
A leak could cause damage to things like your home’s electrics, so nipping this problem in the bud could save you a massive bill down the line.
Get your boiler serviced
Your central heating system works its hardest during the colder months, for obvious reasons. But your boiler might not have been put through its paces much over the warmer seasons and it’ll need fine-tuning before being cranked up full-time again.
Make sure you’re getting a Gas Safe engineer round to check your system. The service shouldn’t cost too much and the whole process will take around half an hour.
Sweep the chimney
If your living space has a log burner or an open hearth, it might be time to get your chimney swept. Again this is a job you want to get done before the weather is too cold as harsher conditions could lead to damaged masonry.
You should get your chimney cleared out every other year. This stops the build-up of soot and other materials in the chimney, which can cause issues when it’s time to light the fire once again.
Check your fences and gates
If your garden or outside space is fenced off, give them a good check now before frost, ice and regular rain sets in to pummel them.
It might just be a case of touching up a paint job, but spotting any damage now will lead to a much easier job than when the mercury drops below zero!