Keeping Your Home Safe This Winter

*This is a collaborative post.

Winter is coming and along with the fun stuff like Christmas and hot chocolate, there often comes snow, rain, heavy winds, and other things that can lead to disaster in the home. So, you are going to want to be repaired, right? Well, here’s how you can get ready for winter:

1. Get Up on the Roof

One of the most important things you can do when winter is approaching is to get up on your roof (or have a professional get up there) and give it some TLC. You need to check for things like loose tiles, holes and debris, and get it sorted so that your roof does not spring a leak or cave in under the weight of snow this winter, and of course, flying tiles can cause serious injuries too!

2. Take Care of Your Trees

If you have large trees and shrubs in your garden, then you might want to start googling “tree surgeon near me” right now. Why? Because when winter brings those heavy winds alone, if those trees are too big and too close to your home, they could end up bending or falling, and if they poke through a window or land on your roof, that could be really bad news for your home!

3. Insulate Like Your Heating Bill Depends On It (Because It Does)

Let’s talk insulation. If your home’s not properly insulated, you might as well leave your front door wide open all winter. Insulating your loft, walls, and windows helps keep the warm air in and the chilly air out. Plus, it means you won’t be wearing three jumpers and a blanket just to watch the telly. And yes, double glazed windows work wonders—whether you’re blocking out cold air or that neighbour who loves to shout at his dog at 7am.

4. Gutter Glory

No one ever gets excited about cleaning gutters, but trust me, it’s better than dealing with the alternative: a clogged, overflowing mess that leads to water damage. Grab a ladder (or bribe a friend) and clear out all the autumn leaves, twigs, and mystery gunk that’s built up. It’s not glamorous, but it beats explaining why your ceiling has a giant damp patch when the winter rain really kicks in.

5. Keep Your Pipes Snug, Too In Winter

Frozen pipes are like the unwelcome houseguest who shows up unannounced and ruins everything. Avoid this nightmare by making sure your pipes are well-insulated and that you know where your stopcock is (the valve, not a Dickensian insult). If the temperature drops significantly, leave a tap dripping slightly to keep water flowing and prevent a freeze.

6. Keep Your Heating on a Low, Steady Burn

Many of us are tempted to turn the heating off when we are not home in a bid to save money but you know what? It could actually end up costing you more because, if your home is not adequately heated in the winter, it could cause mould and damp to flourish in your home, and having this treated can be really quite costly. So, leaving your heating on even a low level at all times is sensible for your home, and cosy for you too, of course.

Here’s to a safe, snug and storm-proofed home for you to snuggle up in this winter.