Protecting your home this winter

As the calendar turns another page with the lingering warmth of September a faint memory and December just on the horizon, it’s time to acknowledge the changing seasons. The mornings are darker, signalling the inevitable shift towards colder weather and shorter days. Rather than resisting, perhaps it’s an opportune moment to accept and dare we say, even embrace the forthcoming challenges posed by winter.

Now is the ideal time to invest a few minutes in safeguarding your home against the impending onslaught of damaging wind, rain, and snow. Taking proactive measures can save you valuable time and prevent potential issues from escalating once winter firmly takes hold. Over the years, at SER, we’ve witnessed numerous instances of property damage, with a significant portion attributed to the unforgiving elements. Here are our tips to help you minimise risks:

1. Assess Your Roof: 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 bear in mind that loose tiles are more likely to be blown off in high winds. At the same time, 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.
   2. Inspect Gutters and Drains: Check your gutters and ground level drains. They may have already become clogged with fallen leaves meaning that water may not be able to drain away freely contributing to dampness and in severe cases, subsidence if water infiltrates the ground beneath the house, undermining the foundations.
2. Maintain Plumbing: This may also be a good moment to lag pipes and water tanks and to fix any dripping taps. A frozen pipe can burst and lead to flooding, which is never good for the fabric of a building.

Let’s look forward to those cosy nights in by the fire, relaxed in the knowledge that we have done all we can to stop the storm raging outside causing damage to our home.