WINTER can make home ownership pricey, as colder days and longer nights send energy bills soaring.
But DIY expert Georgina Burnett says being proactive with maintenance can not only save on fuel costs – it can also avoid some extremely expensive headaches further down the line.
Being proactive with home maintenance can help avoid some extremely expensive headaches during the winter months[/caption]
“Owning a house, particularly an older one, is a responsibility – especially this time of year,” she says.
“But if you keep on top of maintenance, that small outlay is cheaper than paying for bigger problems, like damp, later on.
“So don’t put it off – it’s not as difficult or expensive as you might think.”
Here, Georgina reveals the top ten jobs to tackle now.
DIY expert Georgina Burnett reveals the top ten jobs to tackle now[/caption]
CRANK UP THE HEATING EARLY
Turn on radiators now to check they’re working properly[/caption]
THE warm summer means most of us have had the central heating off for months – and won’t be aware of problems until the day we actually need it.
“There’s nothing worse – and more expensive – than trying to get an emergency plumber as soon as a cold snap hits,” says Georgina.
“So turn on radiators now to check they’re working properly.
“If they feel hotter in one area, there’s likely air trapped in the system and you need to bleed them.
“Pick up a radiator key for a few quid at a hardware store.”
Check your boiler to ensure it’s running safely and efficiently, too.
Georgina adds: “It not only reduces the risk of a costly breakdown mid-winter, but helps your boiler use less gas, keeping your energy bills lower.”
POTENTIAL SAVING: £3,000 (based on average cost of supplying and installing a new gas boiler, according to Checkatrade)
BLAST THE HAIRDRYER
SAVE on fuel bills by helping radiators to run as efficiently as possible.
“Give them a proper clean to get rid of dust and other debris that might be trapped,” says Georgina.
“You can buy special long dusters to get into hard-to-reach gaps, or simply blast them with a hairdryer.”
Georgina recommends rearranging your furniture to enhance warm air flow, too.
“Move sofas and armchairs away from radiators to let the heat escape,” she says.
“And put foil sheets on the wall behind them to reflect heat back into the room.”
Removing wooden radiator casings also helps.
“They severely restrict warm air flow, so get rid of them for winter,” she says.
Another worthwhile investment are Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs), to control the temperature of individual rooms.
“This can save a small fortune in heating bills,” says Georgina. “But if you don’t feel confident fixing them yourself, get a professional in.”
POTENTIAL SAVING: £350 (based on bleeding radiators saving up to 20 per cent on fuel bills, if the energy price cap is £1755 on average per home)
VACUUM YOUR SMOKE ALARM
Ensure your detectors are all working properly[/caption]
YOU can’t put a price on your life, and as winter arrives, increased use of open fires and candles means more risk of blazes breaking out.
Likewise, with windows closed and heating on, carbon monoxide or gas leaks could be even more deadly.
“Make sure your smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detectors are all working properly,” says Georgina.
“Test each unit by pressing the button and replacing batteries if needed. Also vacuum vents to clear away dust that could affect performance.
“If your detectors are over ten years old, replace them completely.”
While your vacuum is out, run it over extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens.
“This helps to clear the air of nasties and improve flow,” she says.
POTENTIAL SAVING: £35,000 (based on Checkatrade average estimates for fire restoration)
BLOW UP A BALLOON
Giving your chimneys some TLC from servicing to insulation is vital to save in the long run[/caption]
IF you have a chimney, it’s vital to give it some TLC, whether you use it or not.
Have working fireplaces swept and serviced regularly and insulate all chimneys against the cold.
“You can lose as much heat, or feel as much of a draft, from a chimney as from a poorly fitted or even open window,” says Georgina.
“Make sure the chimney damper is fully closed, or you can install a chimney balloon – a Chimella, which is a sort of umbrella – or the woollen version, Chimney Sheep.
“You can even make a version yourself by putting scrunched up paper in a bag – just make sure you have some kind of ‘tail’ so you can pull it out again when you’re using the fire.”
POTENTIAL SAVING: £90 (estimates by Chimney Sheep, based on University of Liverpool research)
LOOK FOR TELL-TALE DAYLIGHT
WINTER requires a watertight, windproof roof, so get into the loft and check for gaps or cracks.
“Some loose slates are obvious from the outside, but you should also look from the inside,” says Georgina.
“Climb into the loft space and check for any signs of daylight, as that will indicate if any have slipped or fallen.
“While there, make sure insulation is firmly in place too.
“Replacing missing tiles or securing wobbly ones will not only stop water ingress that can lead to rot and mould, it also prevents a potentially fatal accident from a flying tile.”
If you don’t feel comfortable scaling a ladder to patch things up, get a professional in quickly.
“Getting a roofer to sort out these issues will save a bigger problem later,” says Georgina.
POTENTIAL SAVING: £5,000 (based on estimate for water damage repairs by MyBuilder.com – structural damage is up to £10,000 and full replacement is £15,000+)
DON’T CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS – YET
Ensure your gutters are clear if they are to effectively do their job when rain hits[/caption]
GUTTERS, downpipes and drains need to be clear of blockages if they are to effectively do their job when rain hits.
“If you don’t look after them, any backed up water can lead to overflows, damp walls, mould and roof damage,” says Georgina.
“And if the temperature drops, the water can turn to ice dams that could damage the pipes and even tear gutters from the wall.”
A word of warning, though.
“Leaf-falling season is only just underway, so if you do it now, you’ll need to do it again once the branches are bare,” she says.
You can easily pick up drain rods to do it yourself, or use a ladder. But if areas are inaccessible, many window cleaners will do it for you.
POTENTIAL SAVING: £12,500 (average cost to underpin foundation erosion, known as subsidence, according to Checkatrade – a risk if drains and gutters are blocked and let water pool)
SWAP PLASTIC CONTAINERS FOR GLASS
Get the tiny gaps in your home filled to avoid rodents coming in[/caption]
MICE and rats look for warm places to sleep as temperatures fall, so make your home as unappealing as possible.
“They can squeeze through the tiniest of gaps in walls and floorboards, so get these filled in with expanding foam and wire wool,” advises Georgina.
“This has an added bonus of stopping draughts.”
Washing machine and dishwasher outlet pipes also lure rodents.
“Chicken wire is ideal for covering these up and will rescue you from costly chewed through wires,” she adds.
“Replacing a washing machine due to rats is no joke.”
Move food to higher wall cupboards and think about storage options, too.
“Swap plastic containers for glass ones to ensure they are rodent-proof,” says Georgina.
“Try to limit how long you leave cat and dog food out, too.”
POTENTIAL SAVING: £53,000 (experts estimate it would knock this much off your house price for an infestation)
GET YOUR GARDEN SHEARS OUT
EVERYONE loves the sight of a tree changing colour in autumn, but you might have to sacrifice those luscious leaves to avoid costly damage later.
“Before stormy winter weather arrives, check trees for signs of weakness, such as loose branches, or cracks in the trunk,” says Georgina.
“Cutting back overhanging branches and removing deadwood reduces the risk of them snapping in high winds.”
Remember, it’s not just high winds that can cause a branch or tree to fall onto your home, car or a neighbour’s property – snow and ice can also weigh them down, leading to things snapping.
“If you spot problems or are unsure, call a qualified tree surgeon,” says Georgina.
“It’s far cheaper to deal with issues now than to face storm damage later.”
POTENTIAL SAVING: £15,000 (estimated cost of a new roof should a tree fall on it)
STOP THE ROT
See if your window frames have signs of rotting as it is your last chance before winter to get it fixed[/caption]
CHECK window frames for signs of damage, especially if they are wooden and at risk of rotting.
“They need to be fully dry to treat and repaint, so this is your last chance before winter,” says Georgina.
“The paint needs time to dry and once any moisture sets in, it’s difficult to get rid of – so you may end up having to fork out for new windows.”
Draughty single glazing is costly to replace, but can be adapted to retain heat and keep bills down.
“A great quick fix is to get special plastic sheeting that you stick around the frame and hair-dry tight,” she says.
“Insulator strips are another cheap option.
“If you have a bit more cash, thermal curtains or blinds make a big difference.”
POTENTIAL SAVING: £2320 (average frame replacement cost (£290) according to Checkatrade multiplied by 8, the average number of windows in a UK home)
OPEN YOUR WINDOWS
Make sure top open your windows to avoid black mould[/caption]
BLACK mould can be damaging to your health and costs a fortune to rectify.
“If you have areas that are prone to it, consider using thermal, anti-condensation or anti-mould paint as a preventative measure,” says Georgina.
“Ventilation is the most important thing, so if your windows have trickle vents, open them.”
Wipe morning condensation with a cloth and open windows a crack to freshen the room.
“If you have a dehumidifier, run it in problem rooms, especially if drying clothes indoors,” she adds.
“And if you spot any mould forming, clean it immediately, wearing a mask and gloves, with ventilation if possible.
“You can buy special products to treat it, but a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar works just as well.”
POTENTIAL SAVING: £1,100 (estimate of professional home mould removal from an entire property by MyJobQuote.com)
