Is your property ready for autumn and winter?
We are becoming accustomed to frequent bad weather warnings, with flooding posing a constant threat. Combined with winter weather conditions, this can lead to many issues within your property. To help you prevent unnecessary damage, we have compiled some tips, pointers, and maintenance checks that will assist you in preparing your property for the cold weather.
Preparing for the winter
It’s always advisable to carry out basic maintenance checks on property and premises to make sure everything is watertight, safe and functioning as it should. This is particularly important if the property has been left empty. This internal/external checklist helps you protect your property and avoid some of the most insurance common claims submitted:
Internal:
- Have your boiler serviced
Your boiler should be serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Autumn is the optimum time to do this as you’ll be starting to use your boiler more.
- Bleed radiators
Make sure the rest of your heating system is in order by bleeding radiators to get rid of any air bubbles that could cause cold sections in the heating system. It’s good advice to turn on your heating system for at least an hour a day.
- Test your carbon monoxide alarm
As you start to use heating more and light the fire, a broken carbon monoxide alarm could be deadly. Press the ‘test’ buttons to ensure the unit is working. If not, replace.
- Check fire and smoke alarms
Make sure fire and smoke alarms are working, especially if you have a wood burner or open fire.
- Make sure your home is energy efficient
To help reduce heating bills, check windows and door frames for leaks and drafts. If there are, use draft excluder and install weather stripping around the window frame – simple but effective!
- Sweep chimneys
Before lighting the first fire of the season, have the chimney swept to remove any blockages.
- Know where the stopcock is located
In the event of frozen pipes, know the location of the stopcock and turn off the water to prevent pipes from bursting.
External:
- Regularly maintain guttering and drains
Autumn is a good time to inspect and clean your gutters, removing leaves, moss and debris to prevent clogging and ensure proper drainage. Blockages caused by fallen leaves could cause serious problems for your drainage and sewer system, potentially causing damp problems inside and out if water enters the roof space.
- Check roofing regularly to ensure it is good condition
Replace loose or missing tiles to prevent water entering the roof space or tiles being dislodged and potentially causing injury. Check that flat roofing is watertight and, if not, repair or renew it.
- Tidy your garden
Give your lawn a final cut, prune trees and shrubs as soon as the leaves turn orange to encourage healthy growth, and particularly those close to power lines or your roof. Have large trees near your property professionally maintained and pruned, ensuring dead or loose branches are removed to prevent damage in high winds.
- Check external areas
Check if there are any areas where a heavy downpour could cause water to build up and flow towards your property. It’s important to ensure rainwater drains away naturally from patios, decking and driveways.
- Store garden furniture
Store any external freestanding items, such as tables, chairs and parasols, in a garage or storeroom to prevent damage of theft.
- Check outdoor lighting
Outdoor lighting provides good illumination during dark mornings and evenings and helps to deter thieves. So check lights are working, replacing bulbs if necessary.
- Buy de-icing salt for your driveway
Make sure you are ready for any big freeze by having salt on your driveway before the snow or ice arrives.
It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on reports from the Met Office, especially if there are severe weather warnings in your area. If there is a flood warning, move as many possessions and your pets to a higher level and if you’re flooded, don’t re-enter the property or use electrical items until you know the electricity has been turned off.
By carrying out these basic maintenance checks, you’ll help to protect your property against the winter weather and hopefully avoid making an insurance claim. Prevention is always better than cure!
Our business is your protection. To talk to NLIG about your property insurance policy, please call us on 01992 703 300 or email insurance@nlig.co.uk