As temperatures drop and daylight hours shorten, winter can put homes under real strain. Cold weather, strong winds and heavy rain all increase the likelihood of leaks, frozen pipes, heating failures and other seasonal problems. A bit of preparation now can prevent avoidable damage, reduce repair costs and keep your home running smoothly through the colder months.
The guide below outlines practical checks and maintenance tasks to help you get your home ready for winter. These steps focus on prevention and good upkeep, which can make a real difference should you ever need to rely on your home insurance.
Start with Exterior Maintenance
Inspect and Repair Your Roof
Winter weather can expose weaknesses in roofing. Check for cracked or missing tiles and damaged flashing, as small issues can quickly turn into leaks during heavy rain or strong winds. Repairing minor defects early can help prevent internal water damage.
Clear Gutters and Downpipes
Blocked gutters can send water back towards your roof, fascia or foundations. Clear leaves and debris, check joints for leaks and consider gutter guards to reduce future build-up.
Secure Outdoor Items
Garden furniture, tools and loose objects can become hazardous in high winds. Store or secure them, and check sheds, fences and gates for signs of weakness.
Trim Overhanging Branches
Branches weighed down by snow or ice can break and damage roofs, cars or outbuildings. Trim back any that overhang the house or power lines.
Loft and Wall Insulation
Up to a quarter of a home’s heat can escape through the roof. Ensure your loft insulation meets current recommendations, and consider cavity wall insulation if suitable for your property. Local authorities sometimes offer grants or schemes to help reduce installation costs.
Seal Doors and Windows
Cold draughts increase heating demand. Fit weatherstrips, seal gaps and use thicker curtains during winter months to retain heat.
Insulate Pipes
Pipes in lofts, garages or other unheated areas are vulnerable to freezing. Lag all exposed pipework and fit an insulation jacket to your water tank.
Top Tips:
- Keep the garage door closed if pipes run through or above it.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to let warm air reach the plumbing during cold snaps.
- Leave your loft hatch slightly open to let warmer air circulate.
- Maintain a consistent indoor temperature rather than repeatedly heating from cold.
- If you will be away, set the heating to a minimum of 15 degrees C to help prevent frozen pipes.
Sweep Your Chimney
If you use a fireplace or stove, make sure the chimney has been cleaned since last winter. Soot and creosote build-up increases the risk of chimney fires, most of which are preventable. A professional sweep can also identify any structural issues or blockages.
Leave Exterior Taps Dripping
Allowing a small trickle of water to flow from exterior taps can help prevent pipes from freezing. Make sure the water drains safely away from the property.
Know Your Stopcock
Familiarise yourself with the location of your main water shut-off valve so you can act quickly in an emergency.
Help Warm Air Circulate
Leaving internal doors open during very cold periods can improve airflow, reduce cold spots and lower the risk of pipes freezing in colder areas of the property.
Ensure Heating Systems Are Efficient
Service Your Boiler
An annual boiler service by a Gas Safe registered engineer improves safety, efficiency and reliability during winter.
Bleed Your Radiators
If your radiators are hot at the bottom but cold at the top, they may have trapped air. Bleeding them releases this air, allowing hot water to circulate properly and your home to stay warm.
Clean Your Chimney
If you use a fireplace or wood-burning stove, have your chimney swept regularly. Soot and creosote build-up can lead to chimney fires, which are most common in the colder months. Regular cleaning reduces this risk and improves heating efficiency.
Recommended Cleaning Frequency:
- Wood-burning fires: Up to four times a year
- Coal fires: Twice a year
- Oil and gas fires: Once a year
Best Wood to Burn
- Hardwoods such as oak, ash and beech burn longer, produce more heat and create less creosote build-up.
- Avoid softwoods like pine or fir, as they contain more sap and resin, which contribute to tar and creosote accumulation.
Manage Condensation and Mould
Winter often brings increased condensation, especially in bathrooms, kitchens and colder rooms. Use extractor fans, wipe down windows and avoid drying clothes indoors where possible. Improving ventilation helps reduce the risk of
black mould, which can damage surfaces and affect indoor air quality.
Stock Up on Supplies
Snow and ice can make it difficult to leave your home. Keep essentials like non-perishable food, bottled water and medications on hand. Store rock salt or sand to de-ice paths and driveways.
Snow Removal Tools
Keep shovels accessible for clearing paths. Regularly clearing snow reduces the risk of slips and falls.
Protect Entryways
Place non-slip mats at entrances to prevent tracking in snow and water, which can create slippery indoor surfaces.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
With increased use of heating systems and fireplaces during winter, the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning rises.
Test detectors monthly and replace batteries as needed.
Check Fire Extinguishers
Ensure you have accessible fire extinguishers and that they are serviced according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Install Surge Protectors
Winter storms can cause power surges. Protect your electronics by using surge protectors.
Be Ready for Emergencies
Prepare an Emergency Kit
Keep a kit with torches, extra batteries, candles, matches and a first-aid kit. A battery-powered or wind-up radio may sound a bit extreme, but it could be a viable lifeline during a lengthy power outage, especially if your home is in a rural location.
Have Backup Heating Options
Consider portable heaters or an appropriate generator for emergency heating. Always follow manufacturer instructions, keep any fuel-powered equipment outside and well away from the home and ensure rooms are well ventilated to prevent fire or carbon monoxide risks.
Keep Important Contacts Handy
Have a list of emergency numbers, including your utility providers and a trusted plumber or electrician, in case of urgent repairs.
Landlords: Communicate with Your Tenants
If you rent out property, ensure your tenants are aware of winter precautions. Provide them with information on:
- Preventing frozen pipes by maintaining heat
- Reporting maintenance issues promptly
- Proper ventilation to avoid condensation and mould
- Emergency contact numbers for repairs
Remember, tenants may not have experience with home maintenance, so clear communication is key to preventing issues.
Review Your Home Insurance
Understand Your Coverage
Review your home insurance policy to ensure it meets your needs, especially for winter-related incidents such as storm damage, burst pipes or flooding. The Intelligent Insurance policy includes storm and flood coverage, but you must check for exclusions such as damage to gates, fences or hedges. Ensure you maintain the property well, as losses due to lack of maintenance may not be covered.
Consider Additional Coverage
Standard policies may not cover all winter-related scenarios. Depending on your home’s requirements, consider upgrading to Home Emergency Plus, which offers enhanced support beyond the standard Home Emergency Cover:
- Home Emergency Cover: Provides assistance with essential emergencies such as plumbing, heating and electrical issues.
- Home Emergency Plus also includes:
- Overnight accommodation if you cannot stay at home due to an unresolved emergency.
- Boiler replacement contribution of up to £250 if your boiler is deemed uneconomical to repair.
- Alternative heating support of up to £50 if your main heating system fails and cannot be repaired immediately.
If you are an existing customer you can add Home Emergency Plus cover to your current policy via your account.
Keep Documents Accessible
Access your insurance documents anytime by logging into
your account or by visiting the
policy documents page.
Having quick access to these documents ensures that you can follow proper procedures in case of claims and take immediate action. If you prefer offline access, consider downloading and securely storing your documents.
Preparing your home for winter is an essential task that can save you time, money and stress. By taking proactive steps to maintain and protect your property, you help ensure a warm, safe and comfortable environment for you and your family. Regular maintenance not only prevents unexpected repairs but also keeps your home running efficiently during the coldest months.
Stay warm, stay safe and enjoy the winter season knowing your home is well prepared.
