Snow place like home!

• Detach outdoor hosepipes to avoid water freezing inside.
• Insulate your pipes with lagging.
• Bleed your radiators to ensure they are working effectively.

• Keep your heating on a constant temperature to avoid fluctuations.
• Increase boiler pressure if needed.
• Stay on top of servicing to prevent future issues.

• Keep interior doors open to allow heat to circulate through your home.
• Open windows occasionally to ventilate and control moisture levels.
• Keep paths and steps clear of ice by gritting to prevent accidents.

"There is nothing worse than costly water damage from burst frozen pipes that could have easily been avoided. When poorly insulated or exposed to cold weather, your pipes could become frozen and, if left untreated, could burst from a high-pressure build-up. Get ahead of the freezing weather by preparing your pipes for the worst – before it’s too late!

• Firstly, you need the latest local weather forecast as action needs to be taken before there’s any chance of them freezing.
• Make sure that outdoor hose pipes are detached from the main tap to avoid water sitting in the pipe which could cause it to freeze up.
• Keep interior doors open to allow airflow through the house, as this allows the heat in your home to circulate freely between rooms.
• You should also consider leaving your heating on a constant temperature through the cold days.
• Check around the house for cracked and worn out pipes that may need urgent attention."

- Checkatrade (click here to view the full article)

"If you’re unlucky enough to need to replace a broken boiler in winter, one of the most important things to do is to stay warm until you can have a new boiler fitted. You can do this in a number of ways, such as:

• Clothing: Put on extra warm clothing to keep you feeling cosy. You can use coats, jumpers, socks, scarves and hats, for example.
• Other heat sources: Try using an electric blanket or an electric heater. You can even use hot water bottles, but make sure not to use boiling water for safety reasons.
• Warm food or drink: Eating or drinking something warm can help to heat up your body from the inside out.
• Family and friends: If you’re really struggling it is worth asking family and friends whether they have an electric heater you can borrow. You may even be more comfortable staying with someone else while your heating is repaired.

It’s also important to remember that if you smell gas at any time you need to turn off your boiler and contact the Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 straight away."

-Checkatrade (click here to view the full article)

"Making sure that your property is well-ventilated can help to prevent condensation from forming where the hot air in your home meets the cold air from outside. Condensation can ultimately lead to mould and wood rot. Opening windows will do the job nicely. But you could also consider investing in air vents and extractor fans – particularly in areas prone to moisture, such as your kitchen and bathroom. Installing a new extractor fan will cost in the region of £300."

-Checkatrade (click here to view the full article)