With the colder weather now approaching, it is important to make sure you are prepared to protect your property from the cold snap. Whether you are home during the festive period, or away visiting friends and family, here are few things to consider to keep your property protected.
Over the winter, low temperatures can cause water to freeze and expand, which can ultimately lead to burst pipes- not only ruining the property but also your belongings too. You can try to avoid the risk of this by following these simple precautions…
- Always maintain at least a low level of heat in the property throughout the day and night, especially if the property is to be left empty for a few days.
- Make sure you are aware of the location of stop taps so you can shut off the water supply in case of an emergency.
- Ensure your boiler frost thermostat is working, this will enable the heating to be able to come on during the night when the temperature approaches freezing.
- Check the waste pipes and the overflow pipe from your boiler have not iced up.
- Take note and report any minor leaks or dripping taps.
In the event of a burst pipe, don’t panic simply turn off the stop tap and turn on all sink taps to drain out as much water as possible, and have a lucky container near-by to catch any leaks until the issue can be fixed.
Next job… gardening, you may be thinking this is more of a spring/summer activity however you will certainly be thanking yourself for popping on those gardening gloves during the winter months. Trees and plants become heavy in the wet weather, and if you have these climbing the outside of your home, it is best to remove them as they can cause serious damage to your property. Most tenants are responsible for the uptake of the properties garden, you can find this out by reading your tenant agreement.
Another key thing to consider is the ventilation of your property, which is proven to be a little more difficult during the cooler months. This will help to avoid condensation and worst of all mould. Key places to be vigilant are in kitchens and bathroom as they have extra moisture from cooking and baths/showers. Top tip: use air vents, extractor fans and open a window when possible.
Most of all get to know your property and get a feel for what works best. As we are aware the characteristics of each individual property are likely to be different, so if you are a little unsure as to how to take appropriate measure don’t hesitate to contact your landlord or estate agent for some trusting advice.
