Have You Given Your Home a Winter Check-up

It’s that time again, when everyone is rushing to put their heating on, I know that I certainly am. There is also no better time than now to give your home a winter health check, to make sure you have the correct cover for your home. Winter is the worst time of year for people making a claim on their home insurance; a burst pipe can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Some home covers such as the one from Halifax “Emergency Home Cover” will provide a 24/7 helpline, which would guarantee the provision of a tradesman who is approved on your property within hours of your call, this is for just over £3 per month extra.

Below are listed some of the things that you should be looking out for, at least if your aware then they can be rectified just in case something should happen.
Outside:
• Check the condition of the roof. Look for cracked or broken tiles, cracks in the chimney or problems with the pointing. If any repairs are needed, hire a professional roofing contractor to carry out the work as soon as possible.
• Clear the gutters and drain pipes of any leaves or debris that have built up in them to reduce the risk of blocks and overflows.
• Cut back low hanging branches that could cause damage in high winds or storms.

Inside:
• Have your boiler serviced at least once a year by a CORGI registered gas professional and have the central heating and gas fires checked to ensure they are working safely and efficiently.
• Check that the loft is insulated properly but also has adequate ventilation.
• Thicker curtains will help to keep more heat in the home.
• Keep the central heating set to at least 10 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing.

For more on this article go to Yahoo News.