Prepare your home for winter and save money

No doubt many will disagree, but for this column, the day the clocks go back is when, symbolically at least, we put on another layer of clothing and start to hunker down for the cold months ahead.

It also marks the start of the hardest part of the year for your property. Not only is there more ‘event’ weather to contend with, a situation that isn’t likely to improve any time soon, but burglars and others with malice in mind often try to take advantage of the longer nights to extend their working hours.

With that in mind, it seems that now might be a good time to spend money on some protective measures, rather than face the expense of emergency repairs later. Your Money has some ideas on what you might do.

Begin with the fundamentals. Have you serviced your boiler recently? If not, get it done now. Not only will this lessen the chance of it breaking down at midnight on Christmas Eve, but an efficient boiler will save you money.

This is also the time to check your boiler’s lagging.

Burst pipes are a common occurrence during winter and the damage they do can be substantial. Lag any pipes that might be at risk from freezing and, if you’re really worried, leave one tap dripping slightly, which will help to reduce water pressure.

On the subject of lagging, make sure your loft is properly insulated, curtains are lined and gaps round windows and doors sealed. All these actions will help to reduce your heating bills, as will putting foil behind radiators to reflect heat back into the room.

Working on the outside of your house is equally important. Check all your tiles are secure before the storms start and look for any areas of water, especially on flat roofs. Are chimney pots, satellite dishes and aerials secure?

Flooding can cause major disruption and damage, so reduce the risk by making sure that drains and gutters are clear of obstruction. Get rid of leaves and make sure pipes discharge well away from the property.

And don’t forget the garden, Remove any tree branches that could cause damage if brought down in strong winds and check for roots that might block drains and underground pipes.

Give your garden tools the once over and grease and lubricate as necessary in preparation for winter storage. Drain the lawnmower battery.

This is also a good time to check that your shed, other outbuildings, oil tanks and anything else that might attract the attention of the light fingered are secure.

And while we’re on the subject . . . keep your curtains closed at night and don’t leave easy pickings such as laptops by ground floor windows. It won’t take a thief a moment to smash a pain of glass and waltz off with your computer.

Timing switches on lights can give the illusion of someone being home and deter burglars – thieves do all their best work in the dark – and motion sensitive floodlights in the drive can also be a useful antidote

Use the times when the weather is really foul to stay indoors and check your insurance details. Does it cover you for items such as cold weather damage and flooding? What about cover for expensive items? Double check the small print and if you’re unsure, ring the company to check. You don’t want to discover you’re not covered when you can see stars through the roof.

A little investment now could save you a great deal of stress and money over the coming months.