As the UK enters the midst of winter British Gas has revealed that 49% of landlords and homeowners aren’t looking forward to the coming months. Anxieties about whether homes could withstand the freezing temps were paramount, with the majority of concerns regarding heating, hot water, burst pipes and overflowing gutters.
The British Gas press centre explains, “Winter worries about homes were highlighted in the research findings with almost half (46%) of respondents saying they worry about the heating or hot water failing during the colder months, and one in 10 (10%) had worries about flooding because of burst pipes. A further 8% worried about damage caused by overflowing gutters.”
So how can ensure that your property makes it through the harsh British winter without any major pitfalls? We’ve got some handy tips that will help safeguard your home and keep your tenants happy.
Bleed your radiators
Keep your property warm and cosy by bleeding your radiators in order to make sure they’re in good working order. Any cold spots indicate that there is air in the system which means you’ll need to carry out a full bleed. This could result in a drop in pressure so make sure that after you’ve finished you use a pressure gauge to fix any fluctuations.
Commission an external building inspection
Sometimes it’s the smallest things that can reap the most damage. Avoid any disasters this winter by commissioning an external building inspection that covers gutters, windows, roofing, brickwork, drainage and more.
Take care of your boiler
If your hot water is playing up it’s critical to get your boiler checked out by a professional as soon as possible. In fact, it’s always a good idea to commission a general inspection before the temperatures really drop. The older your boiler, the more important regular maintenance is!
Tackle flood risks
Flood risks are a major expense yet you can significantly lessen the risk by checking all radiators and pipes for leaks and repairing them immediately. It’s also a good idea to protect any exposed pipes with insulating sleeves in order to prevent freezing and pressure cracks.
Take out a comprehensive landlords insurance policy
No matter how careful you are it is impossible to eliminate 100% of risks. In a worst case scenario it’s essential to be covered by a comprehensive landlords insurance policy that will offer you financial support should your property fall victim to a winter disaster.