Getting your property winter-ready

As the days grow shorter and seasonal storms begin to brew, it is a timely reminder that whether it’s the home you live in or a property you let to tenants, it is never too early to batten down the hatches in preparation for the worst that winter weather can throw at the home.

The time, care, and attention you give to just a few repair and maintenance jobs now might prevent serious loss, damage, and expense when the weather worsens. So, what’s likely to be involved?

Check your insurance

• when the winds start to blow and the temperature drops, your property becomes more vulnerable to damage – so, now is the time to review your home insurance or landlord insurance to make sure it continues to provide the most appropriate protection and safeguards. (You can read our blog What you need to know about landlord insurance for information on what you should review);

• whether it is home insurance or landlord insurance, you’ll want to be sure that the policy provides cover against storm damage – and other ravages of winter weather – because most will do so but it pays you to double-check in advance;

• even with suitable insurance in place – and as with any kind of general insurance – you still have a responsibility for mitigating the risk of any loss or damage and this is largely a question of ensuring that your property is well-maintained and in the best possible state of repair;

• so, further precautions and attention to maintenance and repairs are necessary when preparing your property for winter;

Lag those pipes

• a good illustration of the connection between your property insurance and the need for simple maintenance precautions is given by the rapidly escalating costs of a persistent leak of water from damaged or burst pipes;

• as the website Insulation and More points out, lagging will not only protect pipework against damage and leaks but will also help to keep water hot until it comes out of the tap – so, helping to save on those escalating energy bills;

• simple lagging of the pipes and water storage tank is probably one of the most affordable precautions homeowners and landlords can take – it’ll cost you little yet potentially save a substantial sum on any subsequent insurance claim;

• although you might also want to lag exposed pipes that run outside the property, it is probably better to turn off the supply to those you use for the garden altogether;

Ventilation

• even though you’ll be thinking about lagging and insulation to retain the heat within the home, remember that it also needs to be kept adequately ventilated;

• shuttered rooms full of wintry air that is laden with moisture are an almost certain recipe for condensation – and the damp and mould that can follow;

• make sure that you or your tenants allow the interior to continue to breathe – either by improving the airflow or through the use of efficient air management systems;

• further reading: Guide to Condensation;

The roof

• the roof is often the most vulnerable feature of any home – leaks through missing or slipped tiles or slates and even ice damage can result in substantial repair and remedial bills unless the problems are caught in time;

• visually inspect the roof and replace any missing or slipped slates or tiles while also on the lookout for objects down below that could be damaged if an accumulation of snow and ice on the roof should slide off as the thaw begins;

• if trees or branches overhang the roof, consider chopping them back before they cause any damage when blown about in wintery gales;

Chimneys

• as winter closes in, there’s perhaps nothing more comforting than an open fire;

• but is the fireplace itself and more importantly the chimney safe to use – most domestic chimneys in the UK are more than a century old;

• well before you or your tenants are tempted to use it, therefore, make sure that the chimney is professionally swept and that it remains structurally sound with mortar that is adequately pointed;

Rainwater goods

• the gutters, downpipes, and roof gullies on the building, collectively, the rainwater goods, do more than direct the water away – they prevent the water from finding its way into the home;

• to allow them to do that job efficiently, therefore, act now to clear them of debris, such as leaves, moss, and other detritus;

Windows and doorways

• we have enjoyed higher than usual temperatures during recent summers;

• the uncommon warmth is likely to have accelerated the deterioration of the sealant that is used around the frames and brickwork of the openings for doors and windows;

• it is important to check that the sealant has not deteriorated so badly that it lets in rainwater – that will contribute to damp and mould in your property;

Service the boiler

• a survey by the Consumers’ Association’s Which? magazine – published on the 24^th of May 2023 – found that while 3 out of every 10 annually serviced central heating boilers needed repairs in the following six years, boilers that were serviced only once every 2 to five years needed to be repaired in half that time;

• the message is clear – if you and your tenants want to avoid the boiler failing at a critical time such as when a cold snap happens or during Christmas or New Year’s festivities, make sure to service it now;

• arranging a service now will avoid the later rush to callout the relevant engineers when they are busy preparing others’ boilers for winter or attending to breakdowns elsewhere;

• you might even find that your home or landlord insurance policy specifically requires that the boiler is serviced annually;

Talk to your tenants

• if you are the landlord of buy to let property, you may find that your tenants are going to be the first to spot potential problems – so talk to them and ask whether they have noticed anything requiring attention before winter sets in;

• enlist your tenants’ help in heading off worse damage by preparing a winter emergency kit for them – telephone numbers for the plumber and any boiler or central heating service plan, exactly where they can find the water stopcocks, a kit for use during any power blackout, and your own emergency contact details.

Who knows what drama and potential for damage this winter’s weather holds in store? By taking the time now to hope for the best but prepare for the worst, you might be ready for whatever happens.

Further reading: Winter-proof your garden