Winter is coming, and we’re not talking about Game of Thrones. We speak to our Property Management Director, Naomi Murdoch, to get the lowdown on why preparing your property for winter should be on your to do list now.
Why is it important to start preparing now?
Naomi: Whether you rent or own a property, it is a fact of life that maintenance of your home is necessary and things do break down or go wrong, often at an inconvenient time. We know that the first cold spell leads to most of our contractor call outs. Whilst we can’t predict the weather, we can help with practical advice about preparing your home for the winter months.
What should be on your winter checklist?
Naomi: I always start with the most obvious – ensuring my boiler is serviced. Rental properties with gas central heating are required to have all gas appliances safety checked every 12 months. Whilst home owners often don’t carry out a safety check specifically, an annual service is still crucial to keep a boiler in good working order, and potentially extend its operating lifespan. Don’t wait for the first cold snap to get this booked in as that is exactly when demand soars, so getting a convenient appointment can prove tricky.
Next I would get the gutters cleared as blocked or leaking gutters can lead to significant damage to brick work, which in return can leech into the walls and damage internal paint and plasterwork if left unaddressed. The rule of thumb with leaks is to act fast before more damage is done and the job becomes more expensive to remedy.
After that I would advise getting onto any other chores that you’ve been putting off. Now is the time to sort out any small jobs like tidying up the garden, fixing that loose window latch or bleeding the radiators. Essentially I recommend doing anything that will help keep your home warm and dry over the coming months, or could increase your heating bill if you don’t get it repaired.
What to do if you are going on holiday or away for Christmas
Naomi: During the winter months it is important not to turn off the heating and hot water entirely. By all means turn your heating down, but ideally not below 10 degrees Celsius, also reducing the timing to fewer hours each day.
If severe weather is forecasted, you should leave the heating on both day and night at your usual temperature setting. This will help prevent your pipes from freezing, which is a common cause of leaks. Serious problems can occur when blocked or leaking pipes freeze during the winter, which then causes them to expand and burst. If you're going to be away for a while, consider turning off your inside stopcock and draining the system so that there is no water in the pipes to freeze.
Don’t forget to also turn your attention to the garden if you have any outside space. Blustery winds can send pot plants and garden furniture flying - toys like trampolines need to be secured stored or tethered down.
What about insurance?
Naomi: Check your insurance policy. Make sure you are protected for the full range of winter emergencies and that your insurance is tailored to cover the risks that are specific to landlords, tenants or owner occupiers.
Anything else?
Naomi: It is just as important to regularly air your home as it is to heat it. Condensation can form on any surface and when mould starts growing or wood starts to rot, then the cost of the remedy can soar. Condensation occurs when warm moist air comes into contact with a surface of a lower temperature. This means that rooms like kitchens and bathrooms most commonly see condensation, so use the extractor fan and open a window too to let some fresh air in. Drying clothes on radiators is also a key contributor to condensation.
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