Keeping your property out of trouble over the winter months can be a challenge, especially if it isn\u2019t well-insulated. However, optimising your property to withstand even the harshest weather can often be a case of taking quick and simple measures and could save you time, money and reduce stress should your property suffer damage caused by bad weather.<\/p>\n
Follow our step-by-step guide to help prepare your property for a trouble-free winter.<\/p>\n
Protect from the inside out<\/strong><\/p>\n Whether your own a listed cottage with open fireplaces or a high street business property, here are some simple steps to take.<\/p>\n 1) Keep it cosy<\/strong><\/p>\n Set your heating on automatically so it never falls below 10\u00b0C. Double- or triple-glazing windows are hugely beneficial but can be expensive. Insulation kits for doors, thick curtains and draft excluders are cheaper options.<\/p>\n 2) Open air<\/strong><\/p>\n Ensure doors, cupboards and lofts are open where possible. This allows warm air to circulate around your property and you can avoid mould growing on exposed walls.<\/p>\n 3) Think pipes<\/strong><\/p>\n Frozen pipes can be expensive to fix; use pipe lagging around them or add extra insulation around water tanks. Keep your taps running slightly if you know the property will be empty for a few days and make use of your stopcock to minimise damage if your pipes do freeze over.<\/p>\n 4) Plan for the worst<\/strong><\/p>\n Planning for the worst in winter months will ensure you\u2019re prepared if a situation arises. Emergency lights, candles and torches may sound like a no-brainer but they\u2019re often overlooked. Check up on what to do in the event of a power cut and stay tuned to your power supplier as they often send texts with details when power is out.<\/p>\n Protecting from the outside in<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s just as crucial that your outhouses, garages, garden and the exterior of your property are appropriately protected.<\/p>\n 5) Guttering<\/strong><\/p>\n Build-up of wet leaves in your drains and guttering can cause serious issues and damage to your exterior building. Maintain this regularly by removing any build-up or use protective covers to reduce such risk. Prune trees and cut back bushes where appropriate to help this.<\/p>\n 6) Roofing<\/strong><\/p>\n Cracks, gaps and broken tiles could undo all the work you\u2019ve done thus far. Check your roof thoroughly to ensure there are no loose tiles and take immediate action where possible.<\/p>\n 7) Flying furniture<\/strong><\/p>\n Infamous white garden furniture can be a menace in high winds. If you expect poor weather, secure any loose furniture for the benefit of both yourself and your neighbours.<\/p>\n 8) Garage insulation<\/strong><\/p>\n What you store in your garage naturally dictates how well you plan to insulate it. In any event, securing garage doors, using unit heaters or simple insulation can go a long way in protecting both the structure and the contents of your outhouses.<\/p>\n If your property suffers at the hands of poor weather, it could be expensive to fix. If you rent your property, you\u2019ll have a duty to carry out repairs quickly and efficiently. Otherwise, you could face further costs or loss of rental income. Whatever the winter weather brings, being prepared is all-important and with the right insurance, you can follow that old adage, \u2018prevention is better than the cure\u2019, with ease.<\/p>\n Should you need to make a claim, we are at hand to offer timely advice. If you suffer any property damage and need to make a claim, contact your Account Executive or call 01653 697055<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Keeping your property out of trouble over the winter months can be a challenge, especially if it isn\u2019t well-insulated. However, optimising your property to withstand even the harshest weather can often be a case of taking quick and simple measures and could save you time, money and reduce stress should your property suffer damage caused […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":4064,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[160,106],"tags":[706,707,708,709,710,70,117,118],"yoast_head":"\n