Ten steps to… improving your home: Winterising your gaff before it’s too late

We're half way through autumn which means winter is only around the corner (great) so why not winterise your home now before it's too late?

If you hold off on winterising your home now while it’s still relatively warm you risk having to do it in the freezing cold, and you don’t want that. So crack out your to do list because there’s a few things that need to be done in order to winterise your gaff. Here’s how to do it in ten easy enough steps.

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What to do:

Step 1: Window prep

Making sure your windows are ready for winter will help to cut costs on your heating bill by keeping the draught out. Start by giving your windows a good thorough cleaning, as this will prevent any rust or grime from penetrating your windowsill. Next, make sure the chalking or rubber lining of the windows isn’t damaged. If it is you can buy more at your local hardware store.

Step 2: Door prep

Just like your windows, keeping your doors nice and sealed will ensure that precious heat doesn’t escape. Again, run your hand around the door and make sure the chalking hasn’t dried out or is cracked. You should also get yourself a draught excluder to throw at the base of the door (it’s basically a big long pillow).

Step 3: Get your heating checked

Getting your boiler serviced and checked should be a regular occurrence at this stage, especially coming into the winter months. Electric Ireland actually have a Home Service Team that will come out and give your heating system the once over (that’s right, they do more than provide electricity!). So head over to their website here from more info on that.

Step 4: Insulate

Did you know that 30 per cent of the heat your home produces is lost through the roof? Seriously, it does, so you might as well be flushing money down the jacks. Getting your attic insulated is an important step in winterising your home, but you should also consider insulating your walls too in order to maximise the savings. Find out more about all that over here.

Step 5: Shut off pipes to the outside world

If you have a fancy water feature fed by water from inside the house, then you’d want shut it off as this could freeze and burst turning your peaceful fountain into an absolute nightmare.

Step 6: Gutters

If your gutters are clogged full of crap during the winter they can freeze and crack. So to prevent this from happening simply crack out a ladder and swallow your vertigo. Make sure the downspouts are also clear from any debris.

Step 7: Garden prep

Preparing your garden for the winter months will help relieve the work you have to do come spring. Have a look for any trees that might damage your house in a strong gust and chop the sh*te out of them. Move your garden chairs and tables inside and make sure to drain your lawnmower of its fuel, unless it’s electric of course.

Step 8: Emergency black out prep

A seriously heavy snowfall could knock out the power out on your road and in turn the lights in your home. So make sure to stockpile some candles and a few warm blankets, just in case the worst happens.

Step 9: Cover up

Instead of strolling around the house in a pair of shorts and socks while blasting the central heating at full blast, why not cover yourself up a bit more. A hat is a good start. This way you can save money and more importantly heat for when it’s truly needed.

Step 10: Stock up

Stock up on firewood, coal and briquettes while you can. You never know when it could in handy and nothing beats a nice real fire on a frosty afternoon.

So follow these ten steps and you’ll be ready for whatever this coming winter has in store.