How to prepare your home for winter
Simple checks now can prevent burst pipes, boiler breakdowns and costly winter repairs.
A little preparation in autumn saves a lot of stress in January. These simple checks help your home cope with the cold and cut the risk of an expensive winter emergency.
Service your boiler before the cold sets in
Boilers tend to fail when they are working hardest — in the depths of winter, when engineers are busiest. An annual service by a Gas Safe engineer in autumn keeps it running efficiently and catches small faults early.
Bleed your radiators
Cold spots at the top of radiators mean trapped air. Bleeding them helps your heating warm the house evenly and run more efficiently. If cold spots persist, the system may need a power flush.
Lag exposed pipes and protect against freezing
Insulate (lag) any exposed pipes in lofts, garages and outbuildings, and know where your stopcock is. A frozen pipe that bursts can cause serious water damage, so a few pounds of pipe lagging is money well spent.
Check the roof and clear the gutters
Autumn leaves block gutters, which can lead to overflowing water, damp and leaks. Clear them, and have any slipped tiles or loose flashing dealt with before the winter storms arrive.
Draught-proof doors and windows
Sealing gaps around doors and windows keeps heat in and bills down. It is one of the cheapest ways to make a home warmer and more efficient.
Know how to shut off water and gas
Make sure everyone in the home knows where the stopcock and gas shut-off are, so you can act fast in an emergency.
Deal with these before winter
- A boiler that has not been serviced in over a year
- Slipped or missing roof tiles and loose flashing
- Blocked or sagging gutters
- Exposed, unlagged pipes in cold spaces
- Radiators with persistent cold spots
Related: Find boiler engineers, Find roofers, Signs you need a new boiler
Frequently asked questions
When should I service my boiler?
Autumn is ideal — before the heavy winter demand and while Gas Safe engineers are easier to book. An annual service keeps the boiler efficient and safe.
How do I stop pipes freezing?
Lag exposed pipes in lofts, garages and outbuildings, keep the heating on low during very cold spells, and know where your stopcock is in case a pipe does burst.
Why clear gutters before winter?
Blocked gutters overflow, which can cause damp, leaks and damage to walls and foundations. Clearing autumn leaves helps water drain away properly through the winter.
Getting winter-ready?
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