Whether you get the experts in or decide to DIY, now is the time to get your house in order and give it a little TLC and 'winter proofing' before the elements return to give it a bashing.

As we have seen over the 'summer' months, our weather has a mind of its own, and given its propensity to switch from Mediterranean to arctic overnight, there may be no time like the present to prepare for the worst it has to throw at us.

Check your loft insulation.  If you want to save money this winter and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time, it's the first place you should look at. For relatively little money you can make significant improvements.  Apply a layer of insulation about 270mm thick in the loft space. Insulate around tanks and pipes, but not under them, and make sure you don't cover the air gap in the eaves of the loft.  Loft insulation can be itchy stuff, wear a mask and gloves, make sure you have proper lighting up there and use wood planks to walk on to avoid ending up with your foot through the ceiling!

Draught proofing is an easy way to help keep your home warmer and save money on your heating bills. It's a simple case of ensuring the warm air doesn't escape and the cold air doesn't intrude. Fit brushes to the bottom of doors and use self-adhesive sealant strips (strips of rubber that already have glue on them) to block off gaps around the door frame. When you draught proof your home, make sure there’s still enough ventilation. If there isn’t, you could get condensation on your walls and windows

Lagging water tanks and pipes and insulating behind radiators reduces the amount of heat that escapes, so you spend less money heating water up, and hot water stays hotter for longer and there is less chance of frozen pipes in the event of another big freeze. A hot water cylinder jacket will recoup its cost within months, and fitting it is a straightforward job. Pipe insulation are foam tubes that cover exposed pipes and again is relatively easy to fit yourself.

Outside, check your gutters and downspouts. Make sure all drainage areas are unblocked by leaves and debris, as the summer sun has dried moss on your roof much of it will have made its way into the guttering. Once sodden or laden with snow this can quickly strain and break support brackets.  Consider installing gutter guards to make the job a lot easier in future years. 

It's important to check the condition of your roof before the severe weather hits. Try using binoculars to get a general view of the roof's condition. This is a good way to spot loose tiles or slates, gutter or flashing damage. If there is any damage, loose or badly cracked tiles etc, it's best to call a professional roofing company to not only carry out repairs, but also to assess the extent of the damage. Even a small amount of damage allows in rain, which can cause serious harm to the roof's structure, and a small problem can soon turn into a major repair.

Bleed all your radiators and check for leaks. Get the boiler serviced before the rush and if you have a gas fire, then make sure that gets the once over at the same time.

Now if you consider the emphasis of a Bank Holiday weekend should be firmly placed on the holiday part, then it's probably worth calling in the experts so you can relax and enjoy yourself whilst the jobs are taken care of for you. 

Try calling CHC Construction of Southend. No matter how big or small your property maintenance project, the team at CHC Construction will do an impressive job. Specialising in a wide range of home improvements, they can take care of plumbing and electrical works, roof and gutter repairs as well as a host of general maintenance works to keep your home in tip top condition.