Easy ways to prepare your home for winter

The past few winters have brought unusually chilly temperatures and heavier snowfall than we are used to here in the UK. Strong winds and torrential rain can cause damage to the exterior of your home, while icy weather can cause pipes to freeze.

With this in mind, it’s worth doing some basic home maintenance and essential repairs – like having your chimney swept, insulating your loft space or upgrading your rainwater systems. Here we take a closer look at just a few simple ways you can prepare your home for the colder months ahead:

Lag pipes

It’s no secret that most homes in the UK have a complex network of water pipes. The process of insulating this pipework is known as ‘lagging’.

Sealing in heat, this method saves energy and prevents plastic water pipes from freezing and bursting in cold weather. We highly recommend lagging pipes that are exposed in the loft, garage or utility room, as well as those that lead to outdoor taps.

Get your boiler serviced

Despite being frequently overlooked, having your boiler serviced is essential. The last thing you want to happen in winter is to be left with no hot water or central heating!

Ideally, your boiler should be serviced annually to make sure that it is still safe to use and operating efficiently. So, if you haven’t done so already this year, get in touch with a Gas Safe registered plumber and have your boiler serviced in time for cold weather.

Replace roof tiles

If you’ve noticed any roof tiles or slates have slipped or are missing, now is the time to fix and replace them to prevent leaks – before strong winds and heavy snowfall make things worse. It’s also worth checking for loose tiles and securing them.

There are many manufacturers, shapes, sizes and colours to choose from when it comes to roof tiles. Try looking underneath the tile once it has been removed to reveal the make and model – allowing you to source the same design.

Check your downpipes, gutters and gullies

Keep an eye out for leaves, moss and other debris. Although such foliage isn’t uncommon in rainwater systems, it can easily clog up gutters and drains so it needs to be cleared to prevent blockages in heavy rain and snow.

As well as clearing your gutters and downpipes, we also suggest that you inspect their condition. If there are any visible cracks or damages, you will need to replace them.

Invest in rainwater systems and fittings today

Here at Total Pipeline Systems, we have an extensive range of rainwater systems and guttering supplies available, including round and square downpipes, deep flow, half-round gutters and more.

So, whether your downpipes are damaged beyond repair or you’re looking for brackets to secure your guttering to the fascia, we are confident you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.

All products within our rainwater systems collection are manufactured to an exceptionally high standard and have a long lifespan. They are purposely designed to withstand the perils of winter and can be purchased for an extremely competitive price.

And remember, if you have any questions about our rainwater systems and guttering supplies, you’re more than welcome to contact us. Simply give us a call on 01254 382 000 or drop us an email at sales@totalpipes.co.uk.