School might be nearly out for the summer, but that doesn’t mean it’s all fun and games. Winter comes around quicker than you expect, but you can use your time wisely with some cold weather prep at home. Instead of roasting like a shrimp on the barbie, there are some relatively easy tasks you can get on with, from clearing the gutters to making sure the lawn is prepared.
Anything to Do with the Roof
The roof is one of the most essential parts of a house. Alongside the foundation and support structures, the roof helps keep a property stable and keeps out the elements. Okay, so you won’t be blasting up the living room fire any time soon. But is that reason enough to ignore it? You don’t want to leave something like chimney repair until winter when all the services in your area are at their busiest! While you’re there, why not have someone take a look at the tiles?
Cold Weather Prep with Gutter Cleaning
The gutters are also an essential part of the home. It is recommended you check your gutters at least once per season. Even in summer, they can get blocked, but things become much worse when you add in the cold weather. So, summer is a perfect time to address any problems:
- Safely inspect the gutters using a stable ladder that reaches as much as needed.
- Remove debris to prevent blockages and potential ice dams when the winter comes.
- Check that water and rain can efficiently run off and drain through the entire system.
Check for Cracks and Holes
While you are in an inspecting mood, why not take a quick look at the exterior of your house? There are small cracks and holes that can appear on exterior work such as stucco, masonry and brickwork. While they might not pose a threat right now, these actually get larger over time as ice forms and expands inside. Eventually they can become big enough to cause drafts and even compromise the safety of a property. Summer is a perfect time to check and fill these in.
How About New Doors and Windows?
A drafty home provides a nice breeze in the summer but isn’t your best friend when the temperature starts to drop. Two of the worst culprits for drafts that lower your energy bills are outdated doors and windows. New doors and windows are an investment and can give your wallet a spanking. However, they are well worth it in the long term, and you will see immediate reductions in your energy bills. Newer windows also capture the sun’s heart, even in winter.
Insulation and Cold Weather Prep
One of the most talked about tasks when it comes to cold weather prep is insulation. Insulation helps keep the cuckold outside where it belongs and the heat inside so you don’t waste money. A UK investigation found that over £770 million is wasted because of poorly insulated homes across the nation, highlighting the importance of regular home maintenance such as insulation.
Wrap exposed pipes
Water pipes are prone to bursting in extreme temperatures, both high and low. Pipe insulation helps stabilize the temperature of water inside, especially in basements and crawl spaces.
Draft-proof the home
Drafts are among the worst offenders of a cold home. While they are welcome in summer to cool you down, they will make your home much colder in winter and add to your energy bills.
Check loft insulation
Loft insulation is probably the most important part of the home. Check your insulation is fluffy and not blocked by things you have stored or that it can’t do its job the way it is supposed to.
Book a Boiler/Furnace Service
The last thing you want in the middle of winter is for your boiler or furnace to break down. This is an absolute nightmare for many reasons. Of course, you will be freezing. But boiler repair services are also pretty busty (for obvious reasons) during the winter. You can give yourself peace of mind and flip off old Jack Frost by booking a summer boiler service. If not, you could find yourself waiting for weeks or months for a boiler repair when you need the heat the most.
Program Your Thermostat
A programmed thermostat is an efficient one. Most people switch the heating to the max as and when needed. However, this is probably the worst way to use a boiler. Going from one extreme to the other shortens the lifespan of a boiler and heating system. Yet it also uses much more energy, such as gas. Programming your thermostat, even in summer, is the most efficient way to use it. Set a comfortable temperature (with or without timers), and the system will keep it there.
Exterior Cold Weather Prep
There’s nothing like spending time in your own backyard oasis. Around 55% of US households have a garden at the front, rear, or both, and summer days at home are magical when done right. However, you could have some serious issues if you don’t prepare the yard for winter:
- Everyone loves a summer lawn, but check the drainage to prevent winter freezing.
- Hose sprayings are great in summer, but ensure your faucets are off before winter.
- Store your beloved summer garden furniture, or winter will damage them.
Household Safety and Security
As with summer, there are many home hazards that come with winter. One of the biggest is carbon monoxide. CO is produced by anything that burns gas, such as your boiler or furnace. This is why a regular service is needed. But since CO is odorless, a cheap CO alarm will save lives! Of course, smoke detectors are an essential recommendation due to fire hazards when keeping warm. Also, ensure you have a winter emergency kit in case anything happens.
Summary
Checking the roof for cracks or even having the chimney serviced is cold weather prep to do in summer that pays off big time. It also helps to insulate anywhere necessary such as pipes and the loft. Yet pay extra attention to safety such with CO and smoke alarms, and emergency kits.
