Our top tips for surviving the winter

Get your home ready for the winter with our superb improvement tips.

There are plenty of fantastic ways you can update your home and prepare it for the cold and wet weather ahead.

What’s more you can get a great deal and save hundreds of pounds on your next home improvement. Take action before you’re forced into making changes.

There are a number of areas in your home that need your attention this winter. These range from the boiler to the roof. By updating your home now you can ensure it’s ready for what the winter will throw at you.

Service the boiler: The boiler is one of the most important appliances in your home, so ensure yours doesn’t breakdown when it’s needed most. This winter the boiler will be put under strain and the last thing you need is a fault to leave you without heat and hot water. Have your boiler properly serviced by a Gas Safe engineer and enjoy peace of mind this winter.

Fit double glazing: Double glazing is now a must for every new home, primarily because of its fantastic energy efficiency. By replacing your own windows you can save over £200 a year on heating bills whilst enjoying a warmer home. There are a number of other benefits too, including reduced condensation, less noise pollution and a stunning aesthetic appeal.

Damp proof your home: British winters are notoriously cold, but also extremely wet. In fact, in recent years it’s not been uncommon for certain areas of the country to flood. Water damage can be a serious problem in any home and if left untreated you’ll end up with a huge repair bill. Ensure your home is damp proof this winter and avoid costly damages.

Install insulation: There are a number of areas in the home that are susceptible to losing heat, so it’s important your home is as well insulated as it can be. Key areas to insulate include the roof and walls, and by doing so there’s the opportunity to save hundreds of pounds every year. On top of this, your home will be a whole lot warmer in the cold months ahead.

Stop freezing pipes: With the cold and icy weather comes the possibility of your external pipes freezing. If this happens, water won’t be able to enter or exit your home and the pipes could even burst. To prevent this it’s recommended to insulate your pipes and fix any leaking or dripping taps.

Repair your roof: The roof is one of the most important areas of your home, providing shelter and protection all year round in every weather condition. As such, it’s vitally important to ensure it’s well maintained and any repairs are completed quickly to avoid unnecessary hassle and cost. If you can spot any dislodged or missing tiles from ground level or have even noticed a leak recently, call in an expert roofer to fix the problem.

Eliminate draughts: Have you noticed a draught in the evenings? Well don’t just sit there and ignore it because if the cold is getting inside, then heat is escaping. As such you’ll be losing a lot of money on bills, when instead you could plug the gaps and keep your home warm.

Tom

I have been managing online projects since 1999 and I'm a experienced marketeer, who is well versed in international brand management, online business strategy and developing long term relationships. Through my academic and professional background I am a specialist in generating online loyalty towards brands. My experience has taught me that ultimately business is about relationships and people. For more information see my Google+ page.