4 Easy Steps to Protect Yourself & Your Home from the Winter

While it’s easy for you to wrap up warm or stay inside, your home isn’t as lucky and will face the worst of what the British weather has to offer. In preparation for the rain, snow, strong winds and whatever else may be looming; Affleck has compiled some simple tips in order to help you take care of your home this winter.

1. Roofing Damage: Inspect now

For those of you who were confident enough to brave the cold and lace your homes with outdoor Christmas lights and decorations, you might know the condition of your roof.  For those without the Christmas bling look out for:

• Any visibly loose or broken tiles
• Signs of moss build up/blocked gutters:
  • Overflowing gutters
  • Warped or sagging gutters
  • Visible wet patches on the walls
  • Discoloured paint/walls
  • Wet external walls/penetrating damp
  • Damp basement
• Check your attic for any wet spots or beams of light from the ceiling as this would suggest that there are holes in the roof

If you see any of these it’s a strong indication that repair work is in order.   A small tweak now might save you from serious damage when the weather turns nasty.  We’ve had tens of customers in the last week who left it too late and now having to do major repairs.

If you need any help with your roof call Wayne - Affleck's Head of Roofing - on 0208 971 7000 or follow our Guide on How to Clean Your Gutters.

2. Prevent Burst Pipes: Drain the System

Burst pipes are a common problem during the winter months.  The burst is usually caused when the water in pipes expands when it freezes and cracks the pipe. We suggest that if you’re going to be away from your home for a while, it's worth turning the flow of water off from the stopcock and letting the remaining water in the pipes out through the taps – ensuring that there is no water in the pipes to freeze.  Pipe insulators can be used to avoid frozen pipes, particularly in exposed areas.  In general your central heating is enough to keep your pipes safe.

3. Avoid a Slippery Path or Drive:

After it has snowed your local council will usually place salt and grit down on main roads and popular pedestrian paths in order remove the danger of falling over. If you are unfortunate the snow can cause extremely slippery surfaces on the paths leading to and from your home. If the council doesn’t place salt and grit down in these areas you can use cat litter or sand instead.  You can pick up a bag of sand for around £5 from hardware stores or even order from Amazon; a good thing to have by the front door.  You can even keep the spirit of Christmas going by helping an elderly neighbour with a bag too.

4. Avoid Electrical Heating Fires

Portable electric heaters become very popular during the winter months especially when the entire family is situated in one room. According to Fire Brigade, electrical heaters cause more than one fire a day.  It is very important that you remember not to place them so that they’re facing furniture and not to keep any wires underneath rugs as this may cause them to overheat and in turn cause a fire.

These simple pieces of advice should be easy enough to undertake yourself but if you would feel more comfortable having assistance from professionals feel free to call us on 0800 316 9595 | 0208 971 7000

Gutter Clearing – a simple guide to saving time & money

Gutters they seem simple, and they are, but they don't look after themselves. Save yourself serious expense by following our guide to gutter clearing.

Gutters protect the outer skin of the property as well as the foundations; a faulty gutter left unchecked can cause serious structural damage, so check them regularly.

What are the signs of a blocked or faulty gutter?

Blocked gutters start sagging with weight of leaves, dirt and water, and can appear to be pulling away from the house. After long periods discolouration of external walls, peeling paint or penetrating damp problems will be an expensive sign that you'll wish you'd spotted earlier.

Key signs of a blocked or faulty gutter

• Water overflowing from gutter during rain
• Warped or sagging gutters
• Discoloured paint/walls
• Wet external walls/penetrating damp
• Damp basement

What damage can a blocked gutter cause?

In addition to damp walls, overflowing water can lead to rotten wooden beams and roof supports, and a damp basement affecting the foundations – none of which are good for your home or your wallet. In the worst case scenario we've seen, the owner had localised subsidence and the downward movement of the soil was affecting the stability of the house – all from a blocked gutter.

How do I clean a gutter?

When you're up a long ladder; go prepared. The best way clear leaves and moss is with a small dustpan brush and a trowel. The debris is brushed into a manageable lump and a trowel scoops it into a bucket. Be methodical and avoid overstretching.

How often should I clean my gutters?

You should clean your gutters at least twice a year, in late spring and late autumn. For areas near woodlands, gutters should be cleaned more frequently.

How much does gutter cleaning cost?

Gutter clearing and cleaning from our experienced roofers costs £95+VAT per hour, which is normally all it takes to do the job - few companies can beat this price.

Water penetration and damp damage can run from hundreds to thousands of pounds depending on length of time left unrepaired so we recommend early action. Think ICC at least twice a year: Inspect, Clear, Clean. If you're unable to do it yourself, call us.

Gutter Clearing FAQs

What causes a blocked gutter?

The most common causes of a blocked gutter is through the build-up of leaves, moss, lichen, bird droppings, snow and ice, roof tiles, tennis balls, and other debris washed off a roof. So wherever you live in London, gutters should be checked for the signs of blockage at least every few months.

Why does water drip from my gutter a long time after it rains?

This is often because the seals or joints on the guttering have deteriorated. This problem will usually be made worse by the presence of a blockage in your gutters or down pipe.

Sections of my gutter are not blocked but beginning to sag

This is usually a sign that your gutters have been installed incorrectly, with the gutter brackets placed too far apart. Debris will probably begin to form within the guttering, leading to blockages. If ignored, the guttering will warp out of shape, causing more problems. Therefore, it is easier and cheaper to have the problem resolved as soon as the sagging is noticed.