In the last couple of year’s, winter temperatures haven’t been as cold as previous years, but it is certainly feeling colder and best to be prepared and take steps to minimise any potential damage.
Some steps you can take to protect your property this winter are outlined below:
Leaving your property empty during winter?
Leave your heating on for at least an hour a day if you are away from home. In severe weather, or if severe weather is forecast, you should always leave your heating on day and night at your usual temperature setting – whether you are at home or not.
If it is very cold consider opening your loft trap door. This allows warm air from other parts of the house to circulate in the loft and will help prevent pipes freezing.
Ask a friend or relative to visit your home every day while you are away. This will mean that, if you do suffer a burst pipe, it will be detected as soon as possible, and the damage caused will be minimised.
Frozen pipes
If a pipe has burst, turn off the water at the main stopcock. Switch off your central heating and any other water heating installations. Open all the taps to drain the system. Make sure professional repairs are carried out before you turn anything back on.
Turn your water off at the main stopcock and thaw them with a hairdryer or hot water bottle.
Keep contact details for your insurance company or broker in a handy place just in case!
Whilst standard home and business insurance policies will pay for the often considerable damage caused by burst pipes, they cannot compensate for the misery and inconvenience that the damage brings to homes and businesses.
Escape of water
Many leaks are small and can often go months without being noticed, causing significant damage to properties before they are identified. Escape of water is one of the most frequent claims cost, causing distress to thousands of individuals and businesses each year. It can lead to significant business interruption, including unplanned evacuations, and property damage which can take a considerable amount of time to repair.
Service your boiler
Lots of people are worried about their heating or hot water failing during the cold weather. It is vitally important for people to service their boiler ahead of the winter months. Pipes should be assessed for leaks and radiators should be bled to check for airlocks.
Insulation
Loft and cavity wall insulation are simple ways to save on energy bills and keep the heat in! You might even get a really good deal on installation!
Unoccupied property
An unoccupied property during cold months will not be sufficiently ventilated, leading to an increased chance of issues with damp, mould and condensation.
Condensation is the prime cause of damp in a property. Should windows and doors of a property be closed for a prolonged period, the damp will become more frequent, increasing the chance of mould forming.
Leave internal doors open which will enable heat to circulate around the property. This also applies to cupboard doors, which could allow warm air to reach any otherwise hidden pipes.
The most important piece of advice to property owners however is to make regular checks during unoccupied periods. This will not only alert you to any problems but will ensure you any issues will be addressed, hopefully before it’s too late!
Security
It sounds obvious, but make sure you don’t leave your keys or valuables in sight. Burglars are often opportunists and will be attracted to what’s on display, especially in the lead up to Christmas!
Laptops, ipads, smartphones and other expensive technology should be kept out of sight of windows. If you have children, make sure they know to keep their expensive gadgets out of view.
The police also recommend putting expensive jewellery and passports in a secure safe.
Finally, keep all keys out of sight from passers-by and away from your letterbox. Burglars can use a hook device to steal keys and car keys from inside the house so make sure they are hidden!
Lighting
Security lighting can act as a major deterrent to burglars. Installing external security lights outside the home will help put off intruders and can help alert neighbours or passers-by should someone attempt to break into your home.
It’s also worth looking at light ‘timer systems’, which can be set to come on in the evening, giving the impression that you’re at home. These can be particularly helpful if you live in a quieter residential area.
Get friendly with your neighbours!
Neighbourhood Watch is the UK’s largest voluntary movement, bringing together people across the community to help improve the security of their local areas. Being part of it will help you to get to know the people in your local community and you can work with police to ensure that your area is protecting itself against common crimes. If you don’t want to join a scheme then getting to know your neighbours is advisable, as they may be able to keep an eye on your home when you’re out of the house or on holiday.
Insurance will always pay for genuine claims covered under your policy but it cannot compensate for the misery and inconvenience the disruption brings!
As always, if you have any questions regarding your insurance please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 8909 2899.