There’s something magical about autumn and winter – changing leaves, icy lawns, cozy nights in and the countdown to Christmas. What could be better? The only issue is that this weather can be quite damaging to our homes without the right protection, here are some preventative measures you can take.
Check your gutters
Over the autumn, fallen leaves can blow into gutters and break down. This causes a sludgy blockage, and that prevents rainwater from flowing properly. Blockages can cause pooling and leaks onto the bricks of your home which can in turn cause moisture and damp issues inside. And as any mold abatement company would tell you, moisture and damp in the home is the leading cause of dangerous black mold forming. After the leaves have all fallen from the trees around mid November to early December, get up a ladder with a pair of gardening gloves on and scrape out any accumulated gunk.
Make sure all roof tiles are in tact
Windy weather can cause roof tiles to slip or blow off completely, which will then lead to moisture entering your loft through the gaps. It can be difficult to see what condition your roof is in, but a good way to go about it is to use a drone. If you or anyone you know owns one, fly it over the house and make sure all of the tiles are in place. If any have fallen or are missing completely, get a roofer out as soon as you can.
Ensure drains are emptying properly
Autumn and winter weather involves a lot more rainfall. So, if your drains aren’t emptying properly, you’ll quickly be dealing with flooding issues. Give them all a quick check over. Anything that’s not draining properly should be reported to your council or to a plumber. Depending on where the drains are located, you might be responsible for the cost. Getting this fixed early will be a lot cheaper than repairing flood damage.
Seal gaps and cracks around windows
Small gaps and cracks around windows and doors might not seem like much, but they are one way that cold air will get into your home and warm air will escape. Don’t put up with the drafts! Get some filler or caulk and fill any small gaps in yourself. Hang a pair of thick, lined curtains at windows. That will help to keep any further drafts out especially in the evenings when they’re drawn.
Insulate your plumbing
When pipes freeze and defrost in the cold weather, this expanding and contracting can eventually lead to splits and floods. Insulating your pipes is simple. Buy covers from any DIY shop, lift your floorboards and pop them on yourself. Disconnect the water to your outside tap, if you have one, over the winter. Find an insulating tap cover to prevent it from getting damaged over the coldest months.
Leave a Reply