As freezing temperatures continue to sweep across the UK, you may be wondering about the best ways to protect your home against the bitter chill - and there may be some things you can do that you haven't even considered.
The team at The Expert Gate company has shared some little-known tricks that you can implement throughout your home to ensure that it's not losing unnecessary heat.
When you think of ways to ensure your home doesn't get too cold and damp, your gutters and drains are probably the last things on your mind - but if you clear them, it can make your life a whole lot easier in the long run.
They said: "Oftentimes, winter comes with heavy rain, so the last thing you want is restricted water flow. Clearing your drains and gutters is an easy way to prevent leaks and damp spots from the exterior of your property.
"What's more, ice can easily build up in your gutters, which in turn weighs them down and could cause some serious damage. So, as well as clearing your gutters in winter, you should make sure to regularly check them for any build-up."
They also highlighted the importance of 'cleaning your gutters regularly' as it makes it easier, meaning there will be less solid chunks of ice to struggle with.
The experts continued: "When torrential downpours are a staple of the British Winter, keeping your drains and gutters clear is an essential part of keeping your property in tip-top shape. This all starts at ground level, as winter not only brings with it rain and colder temperatures but also covers the ground in decaying leaves.
"While it's always a good idea to do some garden maintenance and remove these leaves for aesthetic reasons and to keep your drains unblocked, they can also easily get caught up in heavy winds and get caught in your gutter, causing blockages and inviting a whole host of pests to make their homes in the decaying matter.
"Blockages such as these can also become much more problematic in winter, as trapped water can freeze in the gutter and cause a whole host of other issues.
"Not only can water freezing in your gutter lead to damage to the gutter itself, but the weight of the ice combined with higher wind speeds can cause serious damage to the structure of the drainage system as it becomes extremely easy for the fittings to come loose."
But for this to work, the maintenance needs to happen regularly, 'whenever the weather isn't too harsh', as 'trying to clear an already blocked gutter in freezing temperatures will only lead to more damage, especially if you're not a professional, so it's best to address the issues before they have a chance to happen.
The pros also recommended giving any properties with flat rooves some TLC to keep them structurally sound.
They said: "Try to sweep the area of debris often to relieve some weight as well as preventing areas in which water could gather. Any plant material that winds up there from heavy winds or overhead trees is also only going to become heavier if they get wet, so be sure to do a check before any scheduled heavy rain.
"For obvious reasons, heavy snow can also pose a threat to flat roofs, so if you can try to clear it off as soon as it is safe to do so.
"If you don't feel comfortable doing any of these tasks yourself, don't forget you can always call in an expert, as they will be cheaper than any damage you might accidentally cause to your property or yourself!
"Just bear in mind that winter can be the busiest period for those who carry out this kind of work for all the reasons previously mentioned, so it's always best to act pre-emptively if you think you may have any kind of problem."
Will you be doing this in preparation for the cold weather? Let us know in the comments.
