Every winter, a predictable set of problems shows up across North London homes, burst pipes, blocked gutters overflowing onto brickwork, draughty windows pushing up heating bills, and damp patches appearing where they were not there in summer. Almost all of these are preventable with a few hours of checking and minor maintenance carried out before the cold weather actually arrives, rather than dealt with as an emergency once something has already gone wrong.
Check gutters and downpipes before the leaves fall
Blocked gutters are one of the most common causes of winter water damage, because overflow runs down external walls, saturates brickwork and can find its way into the property through window reveals or airbricks. Clear gutters and downpipes of leaves and debris in autumn, and check that downpipes are securely fixed and draining away from the foundations rather than pooling at the base of the wall. If you have overhanging trees, a second check partway through winter is worth doing too.
Insulate and protect pipework
Burst pipes are one of the most disruptive and expensive winter emergencies, usually caused by water freezing and expanding in exposed pipework in lofts, garages or under suspended floors. Lag any exposed pipes with foam insulation, particularly in unheated spaces, and know where your stopcock is in case you need to shut off the water supply quickly. If you are going away over the colder months, leaving the heating on a low constant setting is far cheaper than dealing with burst pipe damage.
Check the roof and loft space
A quick visual check of the roof from ground level, using binoculars if needed, can reveal slipped or missing tiles before winter storms make the problem worse. In the loft, check insulation is intact and not compressed or damaged, and look for any signs of damp staining on the underside of the roof felt or around chimney breasts, which can indicate a leak that has not yet shown up inside the house.
Draught proof doors and windows
Draughts around doors, windows, letterboxes and loft hatches are a major source of heat loss, and addressing them is one of the cheapest ways to reduce heating costs over winter. Simple draught excluder strips, keyhole covers and letterbox brushes make a noticeable difference, and checking window and door seals for gaps or perishing rubber is worth doing before the coldest weeks arrive rather than during them.
- Clear gutters and downpipes of leaves and debris before the first frost
- Lag exposed pipework in lofts, garages and under suspended floors
- Know the location of your stopcock in case of a burst pipe
- Check loft insulation is intact and roof tiles are secure from the ground
- Draught proof doors, windows, letterboxes and loft hatches
- Service your boiler before winter demand makes engineers hard to book
Book your boiler service early
Boiler engineers get booked up quickly once the weather turns cold, and a boiler that fails in December is far more disruptive than one serviced in October. An annual service checks for efficiency, safety and early signs of wear, and is far cheaper than an emergency callout during a cold snap when demand for engineers is highest.
Most of the winter callouts we get could have been avoided with a bit of preparation in autumn. Clearing gutters, checking pipework and getting the roof looked at costs very little compared with dealing with a burst pipe or a ceiling stained by a slow leak.
If you would like a professional check of your roof, gutters or general property condition before winter sets in, Hozea Construction can carry out an inspection and any necessary repairs. Call 07969 378509 to arrange a visit.
Common questions
- When should I clear my gutters before winter?
- Autumn, before the bulk of leaf fall has finished, is the ideal time, with a second check partway through winter if you have overhanging trees nearby.
- How do I stop pipes from freezing in winter?
- Lag exposed pipework in unheated spaces such as lofts and garages with foam insulation, and keep heating on a low constant setting if you are away from the property during cold weather.
- What should I check in my loft before winter?
- Check that insulation is intact and not compressed, and look for any damp staining on the underside of the roof felt or around chimney breasts, which can indicate an existing leak.