Is Your Home Ready For Winter?

Here at Structural Engineers Reports we often deal with structural problems that have reached crisis point and could have been avoided with regular maintenance. It may not be your favoured weekend activity, but we should  take more notice when the weather worsens. As we turn the clocks back this weekend, here are a few tips to prevent damage this winter.

• Dig out or borrow a pair of binoculars and take a look at your roof. Loose or missing tiles can let rain and melted snow in, leading to damp and rot. Fixing them before they cause a problem is the best bet, also bearing in mind that loose tiles are more likely to be blown off in high winds. It’s a good idea to take this opportunity to check the chimney too. Look for any cracks or loose pointing, especially where it joins the roof. Wind and frost can make these problems worse, increasing the risk of structural damage.
• While you’re outside, check your gutters and ground level drains. If they’re clogged with fallen leaves then water may not be able to drain away freely. This can also lead to damp and, worst case scenario, subsidence if water seeps down into the ground below the house, undermining the foundations.
• Inside, it is a good idea to lag pipes and water tanks and to fix any dripping taps. A flood and no water as the result of a frozen pipe isn’t the recipe for a great Christmas! If you are going away, be sure to leave your heating on low to keep the house warm.

In conclusion, it is clear that rain, cold and high winds are not friends to the structure of a building. As much as we all love a sparkly winter scene, a bit of work now in maintaining the fabric of your house will hopefully mean you can relax and enjoy it from the warmth of your living room rather than worrying about the damage it may be causing.