THE AUTUMN MONTHS have well and truly arrived and although pumpkin-spiced latte’s are occupying most of our thoughts, you can’t deny it’s also a good time for preparation. Winter is looming and getting your home in shape ahead of the colder months is not only crucial, but can be a big money-saver in the long run.
We’ve listed five things to make sure to check off your list ahead of winter so you can enjoy the spooky season in peace.
It’s a good shout not to wait till the temperatures plummet to check your heating system and pipes. No doubt we’re in for a cold and icy winter, and if there’s any leaky taps that have been bothering you, it could pose a real problem if the water freezes. To avoid burst pipes, get that leaky tap seen to ASAP. A gentle reminder to also bleed your radiators, and ease your heating into the winter by turning it on for an hour or two. This will help the pipes adjust to the cold temperatures and although you might be inclined to leave your heating off altogether to save on energy bills, it could be a shock to the system when you eventually turn it on.
Winter months can bring uncertain weather, which in turn can affect electricity networks. Anything from strong gale winds to flash floods can result in power outages these days, and it’s best to be prepared and know what to do if you’re suddenly left without power. There’s a few simple things you can do to prepare yourself and your home in the unlikely event of a power outage. Make sure you have multiple torches in your home with batteries to spare, have a portable charger at hand so that you can charge your phone in order to call someone, switch off appliances once the power goes, this will save you from any unpleasant shocks when the power eventually returns and don’t forget to check on your neighbours. If your neighbours electricity is also gone, it’s more likely an outage in the area and your providers will be hard at work – if it’s just your power that’s gone it could be an electrical or fuse issue. It’s good to be prepared but always call someone in the event of an electrical fault in your home, let the experts handle it and keep batteries on standby!
I bet you didn’t think we’d be talking about caulking when it comes to winter, but did you know that the cold weather can make your caulk crack? Caulk is the product used to seal your windows, keeping the pesky draughts out but you guessed it, cold temperatures can cause cracking and can make the caulk pull away which in turn welcomes the draughts straight into your home.
Before the cold weather hits, it’s a good idea to check the sealants on all windows and doors and do some reapplying where needed. Another good tip is to dress your windows and even your doorways with heavy lined curtains. Your cosy future self will thank you!
The last thing we want in the middle of winter is every window in the house open. It’s a given that we batten down the hatches and block out all draughts where we can during the colder months. The problem with this is the lack of ventilation, humid air builds up which creates the perfect environment for dreaded mould to form.
So, how do we combat this? A good dehumidifier will come in handy, another tip is to check your air vents ahead of a cold snap to ensure they’re clear and in working order. And if any mould does appear, it’s important to get it remedied as soon as you can – fix the damp problem, and do everything in your power to avoid a build up.
Did you know that carbon monoxide (CO) leaks are more frequent in the winter months? With the amount of additional use of cookers, boilers, heaters and less ventilation throughout our homes it’s imperative we stay on top of regular checks on our CO alarms. It’s also important to know what appliances in your home are fuel-burning and ensure that they are regularly maintained by qualified engineers. Remember CO is colourless and odourless and known leak sites can often come from stoves, fireplaces (both gas and wood burning) clothes dryers, furnaces and boilers. Alarms are available in most hardware or DIY shops and some larger supermarkets. Basic models usually cost between €20 and €30.
No matter how much you prepare, sometimes an emergency can happen. If that’s the case it’s important to know who to call and how to get the assistance you need. If you’re an Allianz home insurance customer, there’s an Emergency Home Assistance benefit which will be your best friend when you need it most. Allianz covers the cost of the call out, labour, and materials (up to €300 per incident, 4 times per year*).
Using Emergency Home Assistance is not a claim, so an excess does not apply and a call out will not affect your No Claims Bonus. This service can save you time, money and effort but most importantly it will ease your mind in case of an emergency, as we all know these things can happen and having a home insurance provider you can depend on is key. Find out more information on Allianz Emergency Home Assistance here.
*Doesn’t cover for wear and tear or any loss or liability caused by any act carried out to provide the emergency service.
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