Almost exactly a year since the ‘Beast From The East’ gave us a rather unwelcome glimpse into life in the inhospitable Arctic Tundra, the Met office is telling us to expect another blast of Arctic air to descend on the country this month. Along with the resultant freezing temperatures we can also expect potentially heavy snowfall and wintry downpours.
This weather warning also serves as a timely reminder that carrying out some simple property maintenance checks could protect your home against potentially costly repairs associated with bad weather like damp, condensation and wet rot.
Protect Against Heavy Rainfall
Whilst ‘Arctic Shower’ may sound like a pleasant new fragrance or deodorant spray, the effect on your home could be very unpleasant indeed. Rainfall is the most common cause of penetrating damp problems. Penetrating damp occurs when water finds its way from the outside of the building and causes visible damp problems and stains on the inside of the property. Given that we have been told to brace ourselves against increased outbreaks of sudden rainstorms, we would advise that you take the following course of action to help ensure your home remains unaffected:
- Check your guttering for blocks or cracks
- Ensure downpipes are properly connected with no gaps or faults in the joints
- Seal cracked rendering
- Roofs and chimneys should be investigated for any missing or cracked tiles. Bear in mind that if the flashing around the chimney is not sealed correctly it could allow a way into your home for water.
- Water could also be ingressing through damaged or aged brickwork
Prepare for Heavy Snowfall
Whilst many people may have dreamed of a ‘White Christmas’ nobody wants to deal with heavy snowfall as we approach February! Property damage from snow can be even more severe than rain damage, due to freezing temperatures and the weight of thick snow.
A blanket of thick and heavy snow that sits on rooftops for any length of time can cause structural damage, while melting snow can make its way through brickwork and freeze again, potentially leading to cracks appearing on the face of brick walls.
Protect Your Pipes!
As the harsh freezing temperatures move in then it is sensible to take measures to prevent frozen water causing burst pipes, as this can resulting in major problems such as flooding and wet rot.
Our advice would be to make sure that you keep heat running through your pipes at least a couple of times a week to keep them free from any frozen build ups. If you are going to be out of the home for more than a day or so, then it would be wise to set the heating to a low level and allow it to run while you are out, to help make sure you do not come home to a flooded property!
Has The Cold Snap Affected Your Home
If your property is showing any signs of damp or wood rot after this particularly cold and wet period then our property preservation experts are at hand to provide all the help, guidance and advice you will need to make sure problems are caught as early as possible. Contact the team on 0808 273 2138 or complete our online contact form to find out how we can help.
