As we enjoy the last weeks of the summer, it's hard to imagine that lashing
rain, storms and freezing temperatures will be with us before long. While your
home seems perfectly watertight during the summer, as soon as
the weather changes, cracks and leaks could start appearing.
As the nights draw in and winter looms, autumn is the perfect time to get your home ship shape and also to check that you are not wasting energy round the house.
"Heavy rain, frost and snow could cause untold damage to your home if it's not in good order," according to Ian Davis, Director General of the Federation of Master Builders, while a lack of basic energy efficiency measures, such as roof and cavity wall insulation, double glazing, an insulating jacket on your hot water cylinder or a condensing boiler, could be adding pounds onto your running costs.
The average household in the UK wastes £250 a year by not being energy efficient. Insulation and glazing are two key areas where heat loss is greatest and nearly 50% of all heat loss in the average home is through the loft space and walls.
Most houses lose 25% of their heat through the windows, around 20% through ventilation and draughts and around 20% through poorly insulated window frames and single glazing.
Here are some quick ways of saving that wasted energy:
- By installing cavity wall insulation you can reduce heat loss through the wall by around 60% and reduce annual heating bills by £100 - £120.
- By insulating your loft to the recommended depth of 270mm (10 inches), you can save over a third of your heating costs.
- Installing double-glazing can halve the heat loss through windows by. If you can't afford to replace all your windows, choose the rooms that cost the most to heat
- Invest in draught excluders for doors, windows and letterboxes opening on to the outside. Close curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping
Making your home ship shape
Water flowing in the wrong places is one of the main causes of harm to a home over the winter period and can cause significant problems in a short space of time.
Autumn is the time to start making sure gutters and drains are free of leaves and rubbish and that there are no leaks or cracks in your drainpipes and guttering.
It pays to inspect your home for clues to trouble spots on a regular basis, whether the house is new or old. It's worth keeping a note of where you have heard rattling windows, seen peeling paintwork, broken tiles or dripping pipes. If problems such as damp are caught early significant savings can be made.
Your home will often provide you with the clues you need to assess potential problem areas. If your windows have been rattling this summer, check them out and make sure they are properly secured and fit draught strip if necessary. Peeling paintwork could be an indication of rotting wood underneath, crumbling brickwork may need urgent attention and dislodged roof tiles can cause untold damage if not replaced before winter arrives.
Stains on walls, plant growth or moss around pipes and gutters are clues that your gutter or pipes may be leaking. Check that drains and gullies are carrying away water effectively. It's also worth checking the security of fixings. A few minutes spent clearing weeds and debris, or just a few pounds spent to mend a leaky gutter can save many hundreds, and possibly thousands of pounds. It may be worth cutting back any tree branches that are shedding leaves into your guttering.
It's also worth remembering that keeping your property in good order is essential, not only for you, but also because you will be responsible if something from your property, such as a falling roof tile or a piece of guttering causes damage or injury to passers-by or neighbours.
Practical-minded homeowners can probably tackle smaller jobs over the next few weekends, but if you need to replace guttering or roof tiles, then it's worth seeking the help of a professional.
The Federation of Master Builders, the UK's largest building trade organisation, offers a list of thousands of approved builders and can help you find one in your area. Simply visit www.findabuilder.co.uk or call the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) on 08000 152522 for details of local members.
It's worth remembering to deal only with reputable tradesmen. Check out the references of anyone you are considering employing and do not make snap decisions on builders who cold call at your door, whether it's for routine maintenance or emergency work on your house. Sudden bad weather often brings out the cowboy tradesmen keen to make a quick buck at the expense of vulnerable customers.
Main problem areas include:
Roofs - Get your builder to fix loose or replace missing slates or tiles before water causes serious structural damage. Moss should also be removed as it retains moisture and can cause damp.
Valleys, Flat Roofs, Chimneys and Junctions - Ask your builder to check for damage to these areas. Damage may not be obvious but can cause damp to appear internally.
Water Pipes - Ensure water pipes are properly lagged, particularly in older properties, especially in the loft. If you are going away, keep the heating on low for a couple of hourseach night to avoid burst pipes.
Windows and External door - Make sure windows and external doors close properly
Ventilation - Check your ventilation - especially bricks that allow air to circulate below the floorboards. Check outside to ensure that the air bricks are not covered. They should be at least 150mm (6 inches) above the adjacent ground.
First posted: 22 September 2005. Last modified: 12 October 2005.
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