Get your property ready for winter
As we move well into Autumn , we inevitably start to look towards the arrival of the colder weather , and the effect this might have on our homes . We ’ ve had more than our fair share of mild weather this year , so it ’ s easy to forget how cold the winter might be ... again ! So before it really kicks in , now ’ s the time to make sure you ’ re fully prepared to avoid the worst that the weather might throw at you . Check your heating system With the weather still generally warm - inspecting your boiler might be the last thing on your mind . However , it ’ s far better to deal with any potential issues in advance , rather than being caught out when the temperature really starts to drop . If you ’ re still not using your heating you should at least turn it on for a few minutes every week or so to ensure everything is in working order . If you have a boiler with a visible flame , it should be blue and strong . If it ’ s orange , flickering or appears to be drooping you should switch it off and contact a registered gas expert . Make sure that all your radiators are working properly , as long periods of inactivity can cause them to rust or block , so they might need to be drained . You should also check that your lagging and insulation is in good condition . If you haven ’ t installed proper insulation , now is a good time to invest , as it can save you a considerable amount of money in the long term , as well as helping you to reduce your carbon footprint . Clear your gutters Clearing gutters is one of those jobs that we ’ d all rather not have to do , but it ’ s far easier and less time consuming to get it out of the way while the weather is still mild . During the winter , debris and trapped water can freeze to create ‘ ice dams ’ which are difficult to remove and can cause major blockages . Identify potential structural problems Ice , damp and sudden changes in external temperature can all cause major structural damage , particularly if you go into winter with pre-existing damage to your home . The dry summer may well have hidden any possible damage to your roofline area , so consider getting it checked . The cost of addressing these type of problems can be off-putting , but if left to linger they can develop into more serious ( and expensive ) issues . Don ’ t forget , if you have home insurance you may be covered for repairs to structural damage , so check your policy before you fork out . Draught-proof your home According to the Energy Saving Trust , if every home in the UK was properly draught proofed , we ’ d save £ 190 million per year , and enough energy to heat nearly 400,000 homes . Warmth lost through draught weak-spots forces us to rely more heavily on our heating systems , burning more energy and ramping up our bills . Common draught areas include old or damaged windows , doors , ceiling-to-wall joints and suspended floorboards . Draught proofing can be a case of simple DIY , such as blocking any gaps that have appeared . However , more serious cases , particularly in older properties may require the work of a professional .
Prepare the garden pond
At this time of year , a few last jobs remain to be done to prepare the pond for the colder months ahead and to ensure that its inhabitants will over-winter successfully and have the best possible chance of a good start when things warm up again the following spring . Now is a good time for a final clean up , to remove any leaves . Excess organic matter in the pond over the winter can harm the water quality , which is why some pond-keepers recommend using this opportunity to do a partial water change and remove some of the sludge from the base of the pond . Start winding down the feeding of fish as at around 7 degrees C , fish naturally stop eating and drift into a state of semi-hibernation . At this time , the fish tend to retreat to the deeper portions of the pond , where during winter , the water is warmer – and the deeper the pond , the more noticeable this temperature effect . To avoid disturbing the warm layer that they are languishing in , it is a good idea to take steps to reduce the pond re-circulation which will tend to mix in colder surface water . Some pond-keepers choose to switch off their pumps , often removing them for routine maintenance , while others favour decreasing their flow rate and relocating them away from the deeper reaches . In bad winters , ponds can freeze over for prolonged periods . This is not ideal for any fish they contain , since an enveloping cover of ice stops the natural exchange of gases at the surface , trapping carbon dioxide and others in , while keeping oxygen out . There are various solutions , from small electric heaters to floating something on the surface , the idea being that its gentle movement breaks up the ice as it forms , stopping a complete layer forming . Opinions vary as to whether a bobbing football really works – but a plastic duck certainly make the pond look cheery !
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