Don’t Skip Your Home’s Winter MOT!

As the UK weather turns decidedly chilly, now is the crucial time to give your house a thorough Winter MOT. Taking proactive steps can prevent costly breakdowns, keep your home warm, and save you money on energy bills. Don’t wait for the first frost, get winter-ready today!

Boiler Service: Book a service with a Gas Safe registered engineer. This ensures your boiler is safe, efficient, and less likely to fail when you need it most.

Bleed Radiators: Check for cold spots. If you find any, use a radiator key to bleed them and release trapped air, allowing heat to circulate properly and boosting efficiency.

Insulate Pipes: Lag any exposed pipework, especially in the loft, garage, or outside, to prevent freezing and bursting – a very expensive and damaging problem.

Check Loft Insulation: Ensure you have the recommended 270mm depth of insulation to significantly reduce heat loss through the roof. Stop the Cold Air From Getting In and
the Warm Air From Escaping

Seal Drafts: Inspect all windows and external doors. Use self-adhesive foam strips or rubber seals to block any drafts and stop those chilling breezes.

Gutters and Roof: Clear your gutters and downpipes of leaves and debris. Blocked gutters can cause water overflow and damage your home’s exterior. From the ground, check your
roof for any missing or slipped tiles that could lead to leaks.

Window Seals: Look for cracks or gaps around window and door frames and re-seal them with exterior sealant if necessary.

Test Alarms: Test all smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and replace the batteries. CO alarms are especially important if you use a boiler or gas fires.

Chimney Sweep: If you use an open fire or log burner, arrange for a professional sweep to clear soot and reduce the risk of a chimney fire.

Outdoor Taps: Disconnect all garden hoses and drain the outdoor tap to prevent freezing. Consider a thermal tap cover for extra protection.

Secure Garden Items: Put away or secure any garden furniture, trampolines, or loose items that could be damaged or blown away in high winds.

Taking the time to do this crucial Winter MOT now means you can enjoy a cosy, stress-free winter!