A little bit of home maintenance before winter sets in can save a lot of unecessary repair costs so its worth spending a few hours checking over your home to see if anything requires attention.

Outside the home : -

1. Remove all debris and leaves from gutters, downspouts and grids.
2. Check paving and driveways for cracks and repair as necessary to avoid frost causing more damage.
3. Clean paving and driveways of leaves and moss to prevent slips and falls.
4. Check fencing panels and posts are in good condition and have been treated with a wood preserve.
5. Repair any loose or missing pointing and rendering on walls as this will allow water in the joints which may cause more damage should it freeze.
6. Any garden furniture should be cleaned and stored until the weather improves.
7. Give all padlocks and locks on sheds, etc, a spray of WD 40 or light oil to prevent them from seizing up.
8. Check all pipes have sufficient protection against cold weather to prevent them from freezing, use pipe insulation where necessary.
9. Check outside lighting is working correctly and clean if required.

Inside the home : -

1. Check all draught proofing around windows and doors is in good condition, replace any that is inefficient or missing.
2. If you can afford to or have a maintenance contract, have the heating system serviced prior to the winter season.
3. Bleed the radiators around the home so they are working efficiently.
4. Fit an electronic wall thermostat to control the room (s) temperature more accurately than the old bi-metal strip ones, they are much more accurate and programmable and can be purchased for less than £20.
5. Take precautions if you are using portable electric / calor gas heaters, making sure they have sufficient clearance from surrounding surfaces and objects and adequate ventilation as may be required.
6. Replace smoke alarm batteries and if you don’t have one install a carbon monoxide alarm.
7. Show capable members of the family where to turn off the water and gas supplies in the event of an emergency.