Winter is here. The frosty mornings and cold evenings have arrived, and it's time to make sure your home is prepared for the winter.
The big freeze made headlines last year with many homes suffering from winter damage including burst pipes and snow damage. We can't predict what this year may bring but we can help you prepare your home for the cold weather.
50plus has put together a few simple tips to help protect your home this winter:
- Leave your heating on. It's best to leave your heating on at a minimum of 13°C - even at night or while you're away. Heating your home can help prevent your water pipes from freezing.
- Ensure your pipes are insulated. Especially in unheated areas such as your loft and garage.
- Turn your outside tap off from inside the house, and then run the outside tap to empty the pipe. This can prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting.
- Find out how to turn your water off. If your pipes do start leaking, you can stop a flood in seconds.
- Cut back overhanging trees. Wind and snow can cause branches to break and damage your home or neighbouring property.
- Check your gutters. Especially if there are trees nearby. Blocked gutters can cause flooding and damage if trapped water freezes.
- Insulate your loft. To keep your home warm and it helps the environment too!
- If you go away then leave your loft hatch open. This will allow your loft to warm up and help prevent the tank and pipes in the loft from freezing.
- If you're going on a long holiday, make sure you have the right cover. Some home insurance policies have restrictions relating to un-occupancy so if you're going away, double check your policy.
Make sure your home insurance is up to date, you have the right cover in place and you are covered for the full value of your contents. If the worst happens, 50plus will provide dedicated claims handlers to see you through your claim.
