Winter brings its own set of challenges to our homes, and being prepared is the key to a warm and stress-free season. In this guide, we'll explore six common household issues that often creep up during cold weather. Armed with useful statistics and simple solutions, let's ensure your home stays cosy and trouble-free all winter long.
1. Drafts
The Chill Factor: Often caused by a lack of proper insulation, air leaks and drafts can turn your home into an unintentional wind tunnel, making it feel colder and your heating bills skyrocket. According to the Energy Saving Trust, draught-proofing can save you quite a lot of money on energy bills.
Solution: Pay attention to the quality of insulation especially around window seals, doors or the loft area, as this is where most of the heat in the house is lost. Sealing gaps around windows and doors with weatherstripping and using draft excluders at the base of doors to keep the cold out can help with preventing this issue and in return reduce your utility bills.
2. Mould growth
The Damp Dilemma: Cold weather often brings increased humidity - a perfect recipe for mould growth on walls, ceilings and around windows. The Royal Society for Public Health notes that around 1 in 5 homes in the UK has visible mould due to poor ventilation. Everyone dreads unsightly and unhealthy mould growing in their homes, but there are some simple ways you can prevent it.
Solution: Improve ventilation by using extractor fans and opening windows regularly, especially when showering, cooking and washing up. Wipe down condensation-prone areas, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Keeping on top of damp and mould will make your home a happier and healthier place to be so act quickly if you see a build-up of condensation.
3. Peeling Paint
The Winter Wear and Tear: Cold and damp conditions can cause paint to peel, leaving your home looking less than stellar. Many Brits are deeming it as the most common interior issue during the colder months. Unsightly peeling paint usually occurs when the surface hasn't been prepped or primed properly.
Solution: Peeling paint can be easily prevented with proper surface preparation before painting, good quality insulation, moisture barriers and sufficient ventilation to help reduce condensation, wich is the primary cause of peeling paint.
Using high-quality, weather-resistant paint is also worth considering to ensure your walls don't peel as the temperatures plummet.
4. Boiler Breakdowns
The Frosty Fiasco: There's nothing worse than a cold home due to a boiler breakdown during winter and no matter how hard you try, your boiler is most likely to break down during the coldest months of the year, leaving you without heat and hot water when you most need them. The UK government's Building Research Establishment (BRE) reports that around 7% of households experience boiler breakdowns each year in winter. It might not seem much but you don't want to be one of them this winter, so here's what to do.
Solution: It is very important to schedule regular boiler maintenance to catch issues early. Bleed radiators to release trapped air and maintain even heating. Check pressure as insufficient water pressure can cause the boiler to shut down and inspect the boiler and surrounding pipes for any visible leaks.
Somethimes, when encountering a boiler issue, a simple boiler reset could sort this out but it is best to call a licensed professional for assistance rather than identifying the problem yourselves, because by doing so, you might be putting people in your own property at danger without being Gas Safe registered.
5. Clogged Gutters
The Rainfall Regret: Clogged gutters can lead to water damage and damp issues, especially during british winter rains. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) highlights that water damage claims increase significantly during winter months.
Solution: Clear gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris before the temperature drops to allow water to flow quickly and prevent freezing. Also, consider installing gutter guards to prevent future blockages.
6. Burst Pipes
The Ice Explosion: The UK's National Housing Federation reports that burst pipes are a leading cause of water damage in homes during winter .Frozen pipes can burst, causing costly damage and chaos in your home. The more the pipes are exposed to freezing temperatures, the greater the risk they will burst during the winter months. When it gets cold, the water inside the pipes freezes, expands and creates extreme pressure — resulting in them bursting.
Solution: Insulate pipes, especially those in unheated or vulnerable areas like lofts, basements, and crawl spaces. Use proper pipe insulation to protect against freezing.
Maintaining a consistent temperature helps prevent pipes from freezing so keep your home adequately heated, even if you're away.
Allow faucets connected to exposed pipes to drip slightly during extremely cold weather as the movement of water can prevent freezing. Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Shut off outdoor water valves, and consider installing frost-proof hose bibs.
To conclude, armed with these simple solutions and a bit of preventive action, you can ensure your home stays warm, dry, and trouble-free throughout the winter months. Don't let the cold weather catch you off guard — winter-proof your home and enjoy the season without the stress!
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