GUEST POST: How to prepare your home for winter – on a budget

With the coldest months of the year looming, you might be looking for cost-effective ways to safeguard your premises. Of course, finding the best boiler cover and home insurance deals will help, but what about carrying out a little DIY? Here are four money-saving tips to get your started:

Insulate your water pipes

Water pipes allow us to do the washing up, take showers and clean our clothes, but what would happen if they freeze and burst? Well, the excess water could cause severe damage to your property, so try to insulate your waterworks – before the temperatures plummet. One of the best ways to do this is to purchase foam strips with a slit down one side. These are relatively inexpensive to buy and sit tightly around a wide range of pipes.

Draught proof your home

Winters can get extremely chilly in the UK, so take the time to seal any gaps that might let in cold draughts. Self-adhesive foam strips work well around windows and doors, and decorators caulk can be used to stop winds blowing through the floorboards. While these products don’t cost the earth, you could be even thriftier by making your very own draught excluder. This can be decorated to match the interior design of your house, or you could create something fun like a sausage dog or snake.

Block up that chimney

If you decide not to get the fire going this year, make sure you block it up. This will keep cold winds out and ensure your house stays as warm as possible during the nippy spell. Fitting a cap over the chimney pot should do the trick, or you can buy a chimney balloon which will inflate to keep air out. If you find these options a little costly, however, filling the inside of the chimney with newspaper will also work – just remember not to light it.

Keep an eye on your condensate pipe

The condensate pipe carries condensation from your boiler to an outside drain. It can easily freeze in bad weather, so try putting a hot water bottle next to it in teeth-chattering conditions. This should stop the water inside from turning to ice and will hopefully prevent your boiler from breaking down. If you’re worried about the condition of the pipe, a boiler service could rectify the problem and save you a lot of bother in the future.

If the weather outside is frightful, protect your premises and stay warm and snug inside.