How to protect your home in winter like a pro – The Irish News

With the clocks going back, and shorter days and longer nights on the horizon, now is the time to work on the nuts and bolts of your home and give it some winter care.

As real estate expert Thomas Goodman of MyJobQuote says, “We have to get through months of cold, wet weather, which can be expensive in terms of energy use and potential damage from frost or storms.”

To prepare for those cold, dark days and get any issues resolved before winter sets in, Goodman has put together its winter-proofing to-do list to maximize comfort, safety and security…

Inspect your roof

Making sure your roof is in top condition can prevent problems later in the year, Goodman points out. “If you can safely check your roof for damage, missing tiles or slipping, you can do it before winter comes.”

When there’s work to be done, he says it’s wise to hire a professional roofer with the skills, experience and tools to fix the problem.

Check the insulation

If your roof insulation has been in place for a long time, Goodman says checking it now can help save on energy bills.

“Over time, the insulation settles and gaps can appear. You may also have the older recommended level of insulation, which was 200mm, now it’s 270mm.

“So you might want to top it up to prevent your home from losing heat through the roof.” He continues. “It is also recommended to lay the hot water pipes, install circuit breakers and protect the outside taps and pipes.”

Boiler service

“Since your boiler provides hot water and heating during the colder months, you need to keep it in good working order,” Goodman stresses.

“Having an annual service ensures that any problems are caught before they can affect the smooth running of your boiler.

“It also prevents you from being surprised by a sudden and expensive repair bill, as well as the possibility of no heat or hot water,” he warns.

Bleed the radiators

Cold spots on top of radiators indicate that trapped air is preventing hot water from circulating properly.

Bleeding radiators is a simple DIY task, says Goodman, and will improve the efficiency of your central heating and reduce the amount of energy you use to heat your home.

“Placing reflective panels behind radiators helps reduce heat loss and radiates heat away from the wall and into the room,” he adds.

Install a smart thermostat

A smart thermostat allows you to set temperature levels in your home based on your lifestyle, which also reduces wasted energy and associated cost, Goodman explains.

“Being able to control your heating remotely from your phone or laptop means you can turn it on before you get home or turn up the temperature if the weather turns colder.”

An added bonus, he says, is that many have additional features such as vacation mode or draft detection.

Clean your chimney

“If you have an open fire or wood burner, it’s really important to get your chimney swept before winter,” advises Goodman.

“A swept chimney allows dangerous flue gases to escape and dislodges any blockages like bird nests.

“Sweeping removes the creosote buildup that coats the inside of chimneys and flues, and the common cause of chimney fires.”

Exterior lights

Burglars and burglars take advantage of the longer hours of darkness to target homes, especially around Christmas, Goodman says.

“Make sure your security is as good as it can be by installing outdoor lighting with motion sensors, a video doorbell or CCTV and checking that fences and gates are strong and secure.”

Clean the gutters

Blocked gutters can overflow and cause moisture to enter your home…

“Clean gutters regularly in the fall and give them a final clean when most of the leaves have fallen.

“Check them after any winter storm to keep them free of debris.”

Find your passkey

Knowing where the stopcock is in your home is vital, in case you need to shut off the water, Goodman says.

“During freezing weather, water pipes can burst and this is not the time to be wondering where to turn off the supply,” warns Goodman.

“Make sure everyone in the house knows where it is and how to close it.”

Emergency supplies

Depending on your location, whether urban or rural, you may want to pack some emergency supplies in case of power outages, floods or in case you get snowed in, Goodman points out.

“Have some bottled water on hand in case the pipes freeze or burst, some non-perishable food in case you can’t get to the shops, a torch and a first aid kit.”

He continues: “Spare clothes and blankets are also a good idea in case you have to leave in a hurry.”