Preparing your home before temperatures drop doesn’t have to mean a long list of expensive improvements. A few simple checks now can help protect your property, keep it running efficiently and make autumn and winter more comfortable.
Many take little time to complete, but doing them now can help you avoid costly repairs, unexpected breakdowns and unnecessary stress once the cold, wet weather arrives.
1. Clear out gutters before autumn leaves build up
Gutters help protect your home from water damage, but fallen leaves, moss and debris can quickly block them. When rainwater cannot drain away properly, it can overflow and cause problems for your property.
Jenny Jones from Dave’s Gutters explains why September is the right time to get ahead: 'Having your gutters cleared before the weather turns helps ensure rainwater can flow away... reducing the risk of leaks, damp and expensive repairs when storms arrive.'
Jenny recommends looking out for:
• Plants, moss or grass growing from the gutters
• Gutters sagging or pulling away from the property
• Damp patches on external walls
• Staining beneath the gutter line
• Moss building up on the roof
• Slipped or cracked roof tiles
• Birds nesting around the guttering
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2. Book your boiler service
After months of sitting unused, your boiler may not be ready to work during winter.
'Boiler breakdowns are one of the most common and costly issues to hit homeowners as temperatures drop…we see common faults every year. When boilers aren’t checked regularly, small issues can turn into expensive repairs just when you need heating the most,' says Adam Knight, lead engineer at BOXT.
Adam recommends testing your heating system before you rely on it.
It is important to know what signs need professional attention. 'Listen out for unusual gurgling noises, watch for fault codes, check whether radiators remain cold even when the boiler is firing, keep an eye on your boiler pressure.'
Luke Stanyer, owner of Blue Bulldog Plumbing and Heating, adds: 'An engineer is far more likely to have availability in the summer. During the colder months, we tend to be booked out with breakdowns and emergencies.'
If there are any problems during your service, you are far less likely to miss your boiler during the warmer months compared to when you are relying on it every day.
'Prevention is better than cure,' concludes Luke. 'Getting your boiler serviced regularly can address small issues before they become bigger problems.'
3. Stop heat escaping through draughty windows and doors
Draughts can make your home feel colder, so checking seals around windows, doors and other openings can make a noticeable difference.
Phil Wood, UK managing director at Contura, states, 'Check windows and doors to ensure they close properly and assess if the weather strips or sealant needs repairing or replacing. All good DIY stores have sealant solution, which can be inserted directly into the area, or you can buy weatherproof adhesive strips. Both techniques will help to prevent heat escaping and stop draughts.'
4. Check your insulation before the temperature drops
Good insulation helps your home retain heat, saving you money and keeping you comfortable.
'Loft, wall and floor insulation, alongside simple draught-proofing around doors and windows, can dramatically improve how efficiently any heating system works,' advises Hamid Salimi, residential product manager at Daikin UK.
'The walls usually lose the most heat...if you already have loft insulation but uninsulated walls you could be losing 50 per cent of your heat through the walls alone,' says Ben Curry, co-founder of Insulation Advice.
However, insulation needs to work alongside good ventilation. Mike Storey, founder of UKFR Roofing & Insulation explains: 'You hear lots of issues with damp and mould in properties that have been retrofitted with insulation. This is often because the ventilation has been blocked and any build-up of moisture can’t escape.
'I would always recommend speaking to an expert in insulation before you have any work done, they can explain the benefits and issues that might occur with insulating an area without any proper planning.'
5. Check your fireplace, stove and chimney
If you have a fireplace or stove, autumn is the time to make sure it is safe and ready before you start using it regularly.
'It is essential to have your chimney and flue pipe swept before you start using your stove during the colder months,' states Jon Butterworth, director at Arada. 'We recommend doing this at least once a year to enable the stove to operate efficiently and safely.'
Professional chimney sweeps get very busy during the winter months so book the early the better avoids delays.
'Check the condition of the rope seals around the door and ensure the glass is intact and free from damage. A good seal allows the stove to burn more efficiently, while keeping heat where it is needed most. Taking care of these smaller jobs now can help prevent larger issues later in the year,' Jon adds.
