5 quick jobs to prepare your home for winter

Winter is coming! In terms of cold this autumn has actually been quite mild, though it has been filled with rain almost non-stop. Due to this it’s possible you may not have gotten around to preparing your house for winter.

Luckily, the Christmas and New Year period is coming up which can give you a bit of time to tick a few of these projects off your list before the snow and ice arrive!

Clean the gutters

The first thing most people do to prepare their home for winter is to make sure the gutters are clear. Given the volume of rain we’ve had over the last few weeks, it’s likely you’re well aware of any issues or clogs in your gutters!

We recommend you use extension ladders for two storey homes and a step ladder for single storey homes to clear any debris from your gutter. Clearing them now will ensure you have proper drainage, and it can also help prevent water damage to your home.

Inspect your roof and loft

While you’ve got the ladder out to clear your gutters, you may as well do a more complete inspection of your roof and loft. There have been quite a few storms this year with very high winds, so it’s a good idea to check the roof for slipping, dislodged, or missing tiles as these may result in leaking should we get snow (or more rain)!

Once you’ve checked the external roof it’s a good idea to follow up with an inspection of your loft. Check the corners and surfaces for any signs of damp. You may not notice a problem with the roof until it’s started leaking inside. Doing a thorough check on the inside and outside of your home will alert you to any trouble areas so you can fix them quickly.

And if for some reason you need a new loft or roof ladder, we’ve got you covered! We have the easy stow aluminium loft ladders from Werner, one of the most trusted brands in the UK. We stock several types of industrial grade roof ladders from Lyte and Chase to help you get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Check seals on windows and doors

The end of autumn is the best time to check all of the windows and doors around your home for cracks, broken seals, and drafts. It should be easy to tell if you have freezing cold air coming inside your nice warm home.

When checking all of your windows be sure to inspect skylights, kitchen windows, and your garden doors. Having properly sealed windows will help prevent the accumulation of damp and will keep all of your heat inside where it belongs!

Shut off external water pipes

The best way to protect your home from frozen pipes in the winter is to ensure you’ve shut off water to your external pipes. Many homes have a separate valve that opens or closes to direct water to the exterior tap. You’ll simply need to find it and close the valve — be sure not to turn off water to your whole house.

If you don’t have a system like this, you’ll want to ensure your pipes are insulated both on the interior and exterior of the home to prevent them from freezing.

If you have any trips planned over the holidays, be sure that your boiler has been serviced, isn’t leaking, and is set to turn on regularly while you’re away!

Tidy your garden

Autumn is a beautiful time of year though sometimes it can create quite a mess if you have a few leafy trees! You’ll want to trim your shrubs, remove any climbing plants from your home (if possible), and clear any piles of debris in your garden. Clearing debris is especially important for keeping your lawn healthy over winter, if there’s too much debris it can ruin the grass and may prevent your soil from aerating.

Be careful when clearing debris as you may find animals have nested in there. Consult with a local animal specialist if you’ve found a rare species or vermin — to ensure everything is done safely!

Preparing your home for winter doesn’t take too long and it can help you save money in the long run — to notice problems before they start.

If you’re ever in the need for a new ladder to get your job done properly we’ve got plenty for you to choose from. You can explore our range of extension ladders and step ladders right here at Browns Ladders to get your home in tip-top shape in no time!

Do you have any questions or need any advice on buying a new ladder? Feel free to give us a call, we’re always happy to help 01282 615517!