Almost every expensive winter repair starts as a cheap autumn job that nobody got round to. Water finding its way in, timber left unprotected and a draught nobody sealed are the three culprits. Work through this list in September or October and most of the winter takes care of itself.
Outside: keep water where it belongs
Water is the main enemy. Almost all of it can be dealt with from a ladder in an afternoon.
- Clear gutters and check downpipes run freely
- Check the ground slopes away from the house, not towards it
- Look for cracked or missing pointing on exposed walls
- Clear drains and gullies of leaves
- Check the roof line and flashings from the ground with binoculars
Timber and paintwork
Any bare or flaking timber on doors, window frames, fascias, gates and fences should be filled, primed and painted before the wet sets in. Once water gets into end grain over a winter, you are replacing timber rather than painting it.
Draughts and heat loss
Draught fixes are the cheapest way to make a house more comfortable.
- Renew failed draught seals on external doors
- Check letterbox and keyhole draught excluders
- Reseal around window frames where the sealant has split
- Insulate loft hatches and any pipework in cold spaces
- Fit or fix door thresholds that no longer meet the door
Inside: the small repairs list
Bathroom sealant that has gone black or lifted lets water into the floor, so it is worth renewing before winter. Loose handrails, sticking doors and dripping wastes all belong on the same visit, because grouping them into one half day is much better value than calling someone out three times.
Storm damage: what to do first
After a storm, take photographs before anything is moved or repaired, make the property safe, and get temporary protection in place. Then arrange the permanent repair rather than rushing a patch that has to be redone.