{"id":1292,"date":"2025-07-29T09:05:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T09:05:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1292"},"modified":"2026-01-15T10:38:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T10:38:36","slug":"winter-home-maintenance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/winter-home-maintenance\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Winter Home Maintenance Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you look forward to winter all year or you curse the day the leaves begin to fall, there\u2019s no way to avoid the cold seasons coming. Before winter descends upon us this year, there are several tasks you should complete to protect your home and your family until spring. Countries worldwide are falling victim to more extreme weather conditions because of climate change and, with temperatures dipping as low as -23\u00b0C[i]<\/a> in the U.K. last winter, it\u2019s best to prepare for this one. Here are the essential winter maintenance tasks, indoors and outdoors, that you need to get ahead on this month for a truly merry and bright season, complete with an easy to follow winter home maintenance checklist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"winter<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Indoors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These indoor winter maintenance tasks are essential to the safety of your home, so make sure you tick them all off. They\u2019ll reduce the chance of severe damage or risk to you and your home during the season when accidents are most likely, so protect yourself early this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clean and Repair Your Fireplace and Chimney<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re lucky enough to have an open fireplace, make giving it a good clean the first thing you do. Although you can call in a professional, this is a reasonably easy job to do yourself. Just make sure that there are no cracks or obstructions up the chimney, as these will need removing professionally. Furthermore, look out for a creosote build-up. Creosote is a chemical compound that sets on fire easily. A licensed contractor will need to remove it as soon as possible, or it may lead to a house fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check Smoke Alarms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A shocking 1 in 10 households in the U.K. don\u2019t have smoke alarms[ii]<\/a>, and you are twice as likely to die in a house fire without a working smoke alarm[iii]<\/a>. So make sure you check yours now! Ensure that you have <\/em>smoke alarms and that they\u2019re working so you won\u2019t have to worry about any disasters over the winter when you use heat sources and electrical appliances more often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop Pipes from Freezing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Water expands as it freezes, and this is what causes burst pipes in winter. Take precautions early by insulating your pipes \u2013 some easy long-term solutions include heating cables and tape. Pipes most at risk of bursting are outdoors or in unheated areas, such as the loft or garage, so it\u2019s best to start with these first. Also, ensure that any outside taps are drained and turned off to prevent these from bursting too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check Your Heating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the middle of a frost, the last thing you want to find out is that your heating doesn\u2019t work, so check it before it gets too cold. Boiler systems need cleaning, PVC vent pipes clearing, and gas heating needs a thorough clean at least every three years. If any maintenance or fixes need doing, get them done now before it\u2019s too late! Should you need brand new heating, opt for efficient options that will save you quite a bit of money over winter, such as multi-room underfloor heating kits<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintain Your Sump Pump<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A sump pump is what keeps basements and cellars dry by pumping water away from the house. Basements and cellars aren\u2019t all that common in the U.K., so this one can be easy to forget, but you\u2019ll want to do it before the worst of the weather sets in. Make sure the sump pump is clean, free of any debris and that the float switch turns the pump on and off correctly. If any issues arise, fix them as soon as possible for complete peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check Insulation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The insulation in lofts, walls and floors is vital to keeping warm during winter. Not to mention it will save you a ton on energy bills too by keeping in the heat from underfloor heating systems<\/a>! Check if your current insulation is sufficient, and if not, get some put in. You can do this yourself, but using a professionals are best to avoid any mishaps. If you don\u2019t have insulation in your house at all, now\u2019s the time to consider adding some to your roof, loft, floors and walls this year – it\u2019s going to be a cold winter! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seal Off Any Openings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many houses have small cracks around windows and doors. Although it may not seem like a big deal, those tiny cracks can have a severe effect on how much heat your home holds. Use a good-quality sealant to cover the air leaks and insulate your home more efficiently. You could save up to 10% on your energy and gas bills by sealing your windows and doors[iv]<\/a>, so get to work before it gets too cold!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintain Your Hot Water Cylinder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a hot water cylinder that provides your hot water, it needs inspecting and servicing annually. There\u2019s no better time to do this than just before you\u2019re going to need it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reverse Ceiling Fans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With the hot summer we\u2019ve had this year, nobody could blame you for splashing out on a ceiling fan. That God-send in summer can quickly become a nightmare in winter, though, so make sure that you alter the spinning direction of the blades. Reversing their spin and running the fan on low will force hot air downwards, generating heat when you most need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outdoors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although outdoors is the last place you want to be when it\u2019s getting colder, you have to make sure you take care of these jobs! You don\u2019t want anyone getting hurt on your property, and a tiny bit of maintenance is all that\u2019s needed to ensure your garden is ready for the winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect Entryways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gathering ice and mud can quickly become a danger in doorways, so make sure you to place doormats in and outdoors. Provide coat racks and shoe trays nearby, too, so guests can dispose of wet clothes. Finally, make sure to inspect any railings or steps and get them repaired if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check The Roof<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before winter truly sets in, make sure to check your roof thoroughly. Any loose or missing shingles could lead to melting snow leaks, so get them sorted before it\u2019s too late. Plus, if you regularly experience icicles and ice dams, take steps to reduce the chances before they form. Proper insulation, venting or heat cables are all perfect for this. While you\u2019re up there, check for any broken seals around vents and chimneys, too. These can cause flooding if not caught in time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clean Up The Garden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your garden will be littered with leaves and dying tree branches, so get rid of these before the first frost. Wind and snow may break off dying branches, so trim these down. Also, trim any overhanging branches that hang close to the house and driveway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rake over the lawn well to remove any old leaves. These can cause the grass to blacken and be a potential hazard if you\u2019re walking in the snow, so get rid of them early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, prune your plants! This will help them withstand the season, so don\u2019t wait until the spring!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clear Out The Gutters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Free your gutters of any fallen debris like leaves, sticks or pine cones so heavy rains and melting snow will drain adequately. Also, to protect lofts and basements, direct downspouts away from your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect Patio Furniture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Where possible, patio furniture should be stored inside, in a shed or in your home. If this isn\u2019t possible, you can buy a tarp or specialist cover that will do the trick. Just make sure that you leave the bottom uncovered for proper circulation. If your patio furniture is wooden, it\u2019s best to treat it with a wood preserver before putting it away or covering it.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check Outdoor Lighting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Make sure all your outdoor lights are working correctly before the darker nights start to set in. After a long day at work, the last thing you want is to go flying on an icy patch that you missed in the dark, so check motion sensor lights as a priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Store Away Seasonal Tools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Put all your summer tools – pruning shears, shovels, rakes \u2013 in a shed, garage or cupboard in the house if you have one big enough. If you\u2019d like, coat your tools with coconut, linseed or vegetable oil before storing to prevent them from rusting over winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect Plant Pots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Porcelain and clay plant pots are prone to cracking in cold weather because water gets trapped, freezes and expands. To prevent this, clear them of soil and store them inside or in the shed on their side, well protected from any heavy objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be Prepared<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The proper preparation for winter could be the difference between costly damage and a breezy season. So try and get ahead on these winter maintenance tasks before the worst of the weather sets in, and you\u2019ll be in for a happy, safe winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sources<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

  [i]<\/a> https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/news\/2021\/02\/11\/uk-weather-extreme-freeze-could-cause-travel-meltdown-across\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[ii]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lifeline24.co.uk\/fire-safety-smoke-alarms\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[iii]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fireservice.co.uk\/safety\/smoke-alarms\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[iv]<\/a> https:\/\/theecoguide.org\/weather-stripping<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whether you look forward to winter all year or you curse the day the leaves begin to fall, there\u2019s no way to avoid the cold seasons coming. Before winter descends upon us this year, there are several tasks you should complete to protect your home and your family until spring. Countries worldwide are falling victim…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1295,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,6,7,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-energy-saving","category-guides","category-home-improvements","category-maintenance"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/pexels-km-l-3736487-1.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Jack Poyser","author_link":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/author\/jack-poyser\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1292"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1292\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4693,"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1292\/revisions\/4693"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}