Winter is right around the corner, and with the colder weather comes the potential for property to be damaged, especially if your home is going to be empty for an extended period.
Frozen pipes are a serious threat to your property, and this is exasperated if your home remains empty for an extended period. Perhaps you're leaving your rental home to visit family for the festive period, your home is for sale and you've already moved into your new property, or your investment property is currently vacant.
Here we provide some top tips for homeowners and landlords to help protect your property in the months to come.
The risk of frozen pipes
When pipes freeze in cold weather the water within them expands, leading to burst pipes and water damage. It's best practice to take precautionary measures before an issue arises. These include:
- Keeping the heating on a low setting or using a timer to prevent pipes from getting cold enough for water to freeze.
- If possible, insulate external water pipes and the loft water storage tank, if you have one, and ensure any external water taps are insulated.
- Familiarise yourself with the mains water stopcock so that, in the event a water pipe does freeze, you know how to turn it off until you can warm the pipe up again; ideally using hot towels or water bottles instead of direct heat.
- Clear gutters for blockages and inspect for damage that could cause water to collect, freeze and expand.
- You should have the boiler regularly checked (ideally every 12 months) but it's also worth preparing for if it were to stop working. For example, some condenser boilers have external outlet pipes that can freeze, causing a blockage and shutting the boiler down. This can often be prevented by insulating the external pipe or by leaving the heating on overnight but, as this may be expensive, it might be worth checking for tips from your boiler manufacturer.
Preventing mould
The combination of colder temperatures and increased humidity inside from heating can cause mould to develop over winter, presenting a health risk.
Ventilation is essential to reducing the risk of mould. You should open windows, and use air vents and extractor fans if possible, semi-regularly, even if it's just for a short amount of time.
Reduce humidity inside by avoiding drying clothes on radiators or in confined spaces. If possible, position washing near an open window or somewhere with good airflow.
In the event condensation does build up you should wipe windows and surfaces regularly, and ventilate more regularly. Dehumidifiers can help reduce moisture and condensation.
Overall we’d definitely recommend taking time to check your property is ready for the winter months, especially as prevention is often better than the cure.
If you’d like further help or guidance about keeping your property protected during the winter months, simply contact one of our branches for help.
Is finally moving home going to be one of your New Year's resolutions? Book a free property valuation now and find out how much you could have for your next home.
Reeds Rains E-marketing Executive
