Most winter damage to a home starts with something small: a slipped slate, a blocked gutter or a pipe with no lagging. These are usually quick to sort in the autumn, while it’s still dry and light, and much harder once the bad weather arrives. Here are five jobs worth doing now.
1. Check the roof and gutters
You can check most of the roof from the ground. Stand back where you can see all of it, and look for:
- Slipped, cracked or missing slates or tiles. A single gap is enough to let water in, so check again after strong winds.
- Gutters and downpipes blocked with leaves. Blocked gutters overflow, and the water runs down your walls instead of into the drain, which can cause damp.
- Moss or crumbling pointing. Both hold water against the house, and frost makes the damage worse.
Binoculars make it much easier to see the roof properly. If something needs fixing, use someone with the right equipment. Working at height isn’t a job to do alone from a ladder.
If the roof needs work, our Property Maintenance Loan lets you have roofing and exterior work done by Opal Access Group now, and spread the cost over fixed monthly repayments.
Loans are provided by Capital Credit Union. Opal Access Group acts solely as an introducer and service provider and is not the lender. All lending decisions are made by Capital Credit Union.
2. Keep the heat in
- Bleed the radiators. If a radiator is cold at the top and warm at the bottom, air is trapped inside and it isn’t heating the room properly.
- Get the boiler serviced. A service can pick up a fault before it turns into a breakdown in the middle of winter.
- Deal with draughts. Brush strips on doors, a letterbox cover and sealant around old window frames stop warm air escaping.
3. Protect your pipes
- Find your stopcock and check it turns. If a pipe bursts, turning off the water quickly limits the damage.
- Lag exposed pipes, especially in the loft, the garage or along outside walls.
- Leave the heating on low if you go away, so the pipes don’t freeze while the house is empty.
4. Plan bigger jobs early
Bigger jobs, like new windows and doors or a new kitchen or bathroom, take time to arrange. Getting quotes now gives you time to compare them and book the work.
If you’d rather spread the cost, our Home Improvement Loans let you upgrade or add value to your home without touching your mortgage. Only borrow what you can comfortably repay.
5. Build a winter safety net
Winter brings extra costs: higher heating bills, car repairs and Christmas. Putting a little aside each payday from now means they don’t all land in the same month.
- Save from your pay. With payroll saving, the amount you choose goes into your savings before your pay reaches your bank. It’s available if your employer is one of our partners.
- Keep it tax-free. With a Cash ISA, you don’t pay tax on what your savings earn.
- Start small. A regular amount you can comfortably maintain is better than a larger amount you may have to stop.
Finally, scams tend to increase before Christmas. If a text about a missed delivery asks you to click a link or pay a fee, contact the courier directly. If a payment from your Capital account doesn’t look right, call us straight away on 0131 225 9901.
Subject to status and affordability. Membership eligibility criteria apply.