As winter approaches, it’s time to prepare for potential stormy weather. We’re sharing some handy home maintenance tips to help you protect your property and stay safe during the colder months.

These tips can also help you keep your home running more efficiently longer term.

Here are some maintenance tips in preparation for stormy weather:

• Secure fences and gates. Damage to fences is a common home issue caused by extreme weather, so it’s important to check yours are sturdy and in good repair.
• Inspect hedges, trees and branches and get a professional in to help with any that may need cutting back.
• Clean and store away your garden furniture to protect it from the elements. Make sure any large pieces are secure in case of stormy weather.
• Check your boiler or get your boiler serviced by a professional. It’s also a great time to think about boiler cover, in case of breakdowns during the cold winter months.
• Get your chimneys swept. There’s a greater risk of fire if your chimneys are full of debris, so call out the sweep before you light your fire.
• Inspect your roof for any missing or loose tiles or slates.
• Warm up your stove. If you haven’t used yours for a while, set a couple of low-level fires first before firing it up to the max. This will help to minimise the risk of cracking bricks.
• Bleed your radiators. This will not only increase their heat efficiency, but it could also save you money on your heating bills too.
• Insulate your loft. This can make a world of difference in stopping heat heading out through your roof.
• Replace damaged seals on doors and windows.
• An old-fashioned draught excluder can also be a great addition to keep heat in the home or in a particular room.
• Ensure gutters and downpipes are attached securely and clear out your gutters and drains to prevent water damage. Leaves and rubbish can quickly build up and weigh gutters down – and the added weight of snow can be the breaking point.

Inclement weather can be unpredictable and delaying essential home maintenance could lead to unwanted costly repairs. We would always recommend you check your home insurance policy to know what is and isn’t covered, as not maintaining your property could impact a claim.