A change in the weather can be a great thing; spring turns to summer, the sun comes out and the sky turns blue, and you can finally hang out your washing without fear of a sudden downpour! It can be bliss, and it’s usually rather enjoyable, especially here in the UK.
But at the same time, changes in the weather can spell trouble. When you’ve got a whole host of blizzards and torrential downpours to try and contend with, and this winter we’ve got coming up might be a particularly cold one, there’s a good chance your home isn’t ready to suffer all of the potential consequences.
Of course, in the UK, our homes are built to keep and trap warmth, and contend against downpours based on our mild climate, but these four walls you’ve got around you aren’t superstars! You’ve got to do your bit to protect them, to make sure they can protect you in just the way you’ll need them to in the future.
And so, because of this, we’ve listed out a few of the potential dangers your home might go through over the next few months. Winters are known for being harsh, and they’re a time of going inside and staying inside until the sun properly comes out again, and that means your home is going to be in heavy use this season. Let’s make sure you know where the dangers are lurking, and that you’ve got an idea of what to do about them.
Are You Ready for the Cold?
Because it’s coming, and it’s forecasted to be quite wet and cold. The cold can do a lot to your home, and you need to be sure the most common dangers are the ones you’re preparing for - don’t waste any of your time, energy, or money here.
Insulation Does More Than Keep the Heat in
Insulation is something we ask about a lot. If we’re viewing a flat for the first time, we make sure there’s glazing on the windows. If we’re moving into a new home, getting the insulation seen to is one of the first checks you’ll think to make. And it makes a lot of sense to cover your house in an extra layer of weather protection - it keeps the bills down and protects against extreme weather, particularly the cold snaps and the bitter temperatures that would otherwise freeze you out of your own home.
So, before the weather properly turns on you, make sure you’ve checked your insulation. If you’ve got double glazing on your windows, good on you! It’s the best way of maintaining your air quality, and making sure there's plenty of heat and cool whirling round your house, with nothing breaking in or out without your say so. However, if you’re only operating with single glazing, you might want to upgrade some time soon, and not just for the atmospheric benefits!
If you’ve only got single glazing on your windows, and maybe even your walls, there’s a good chance the air in your home will turn musty and stale fairly quickly. And when you’ve got a lot of laundry to do, all of your washed sheets and ironed clothes can start to smell quite musty in return. And if you’ve got an airing cupboard that isn’t properly sealed? At least make sure you get some oil based paints on the walls in there as soon as possible, if you can’t get a new boiler, water tank, or heating system otherwise installed!
There May Be Storms Coming
Storms can occur during all times of the year, especially when it’s been especially muggy these past few months and the air needs a good clear. Indeed, we had a couple of very prominent summer storms this year, and we know just how dangerous a well placed lightning strike or thunder clap can be! Just think of your pets, if you have them, cowering or barking at the drums in the sky and the vibrations on the air - even if you don’t really notice them yourself, it doesn’t mean your house isn’t suffering.
Storms are common during the winter time; usually they’re just snowy blizzards, with a bit of hail and a lot of black ice on the road, but sometimes they can be accompanied by the worst thunder and lightning you’ve ever seen and heard in your life. And if your house gets caught in the crossfire? There’s plenty of potential conduits to make sure that strike reaches the ground as quickly as possible!
Electrical outlets, pipes, phone and TV lines etc., are a lightning storm’s dream. And it’s why you might want to look into Lightning Protection Systems; if you want to minimize the chance of fire damage, as well as power surges breaking all of your appliances, and maybe aim to blockade against a potential shock wave that might rock your foundations, preparing for a strike is the best way forward. If you want your house to stay cozy and safe in time for Christmas, take the time now to set something like this up.
Even the Warmer Days Can Do Some Harm
We all love the sunny weather, and now that it’s on its way out, we’re going to miss it dearly. Of course, we complained about it here and there when things got a little too humid outside, but for most people, it’s still preferable to the long, dark, and cold days of winter ahead!
But the autumn time can still be a time of warmth, and humidity, and there’s still going to be some sunny days ahead. However, when these days are breaking up the usual cold and bitterness of the air and weather outside, some resulting damage can intrude on your home. Make sure you watch out for signs like these:
- Drying Soil: if the soil around your house starts to get a bit dry, and reduces in size due to the nature of humidity of the hot and the vapidness of the cold working in tandem, there’s a chance the foundation your house sits on could be in danger. As a result, your house’s foundation could start to subside, or crack due to the lack of moisture surrounding it.
- A Hot Attic: there’s little to no air flow right at the top of your house, if you have an attic, or even a recently converted loft space. The air gets trapped up there, and heats the room up to some unbearable temperatures, which can cause damage to the roof and the walls around it. If you’re noticing your roof looking more disheveled and/or rotten than usual, you might want to get a new ventilation system installed.
Because if you notice suspicious symptoms like these, it could mean your house is in need of a bit more protection for the upcoming weather. Even during the summer period these things might have started to occur, and the cold weather we’ve got on the way will only serve to exacerbate the problems!
Is Your Home in Danger?
Of course, we can’t say for sure. You have to make some very important checks round about now, during the changing seasons, to better keep an eye on how well your structure is holding.
So remember, catching a problem early, even when caused by ongoing weather, will work out much cheaper for you in the long run than letting it continue unhindered. You need to be proactive, and not just in time for Christmas!
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