The North Wind Doth Blow...

Thursday, February 2, 2012 : Posted by Michelle Betts

It is freezing in Sussex this week! Lovely and sunny but very very cold! With this in mind, we thought we’d post a reminder of our pointers on how to keep your home warm through this bitterly cold snap:

• Make sure you have your boiler serviced regularly – once every 12 months is recommended. The reaction to the colder weather is to turn up the thermostat and keep the heating on for longer, causing your boiler to work harder so you need to ensure it is working efficiently.
   
• Check your loft insulation is adequate – proper insulation in the loft is a cheap and effective way of keeping the house warm and reducing energy bills.
   
• To prevent moisture damage to paint and timber/metal frames, wipe away condensation that has formed overnight on windows each morning.
   
• Make sure pipes are properly lagged, especially if outside or in an unheated area – this can help prevent them bursting.
   
• Outside, keep downpipes and gutter free from moss and leaves so they don’t get blocked, as this will cause blockages. If gutters spill over due to blockages this can cause damp and damage to walls, and water can freeze and fracture pipes if prevented from draining away.
   
• If you away on holiday for a few days, leave the central heating system to run continuously at a very low level – approx 5°c – to keep things ticking over.
   
• Whilst away you could leave the loft hatch open to help keep the roof space above freezing point and to prevent any burst pipes up there.
   
• If your property is going to be vacant for some time, it could be sensible to drain down the hot and cold water systems. If the central heating system has been treated with anti-freeze then this need not necessarily be drained – check with your plumber.
   
• If it snows, keep an eye out as the snow starts to melt - ice at the edge of a roof could stop thawing snow draining away and it may consequently leak into the loft.
   
• Wrap up those plants that need protecting from frost and the cold, or move them into the greenhouse if you can. Statues and decorative items should also be moved into a shed or protected if possible.

If you have an open fire at home it will keep you lovely and warm, but please remember to have a fireguard and to keep the logs dry.

If you don’t have that lovely open fire for your marshmallow toasting, have a look at our homes for sale on the website and find yourself one!