Keeping warm this Winter.

With dire weather warnings for the Winter ahead already making the headlines, regardless, it will be a worth-while exercise taking a few pre-winter precautions with your home's heating and insulation.

If you haven't already, then for those with a  central heating boiler, you should be booking an annual inspection now. You'll benefit from a more fuel efficient boiler and potentially avoid any more serious breakdowns when Winter's actually here.

Next, check out your home for draughts. A neat tip is to light an incense stick and watch for the smoke to shift. Large gaps in old window can be stuffed up or perhaps invest in some heavy curtains (don't forget entrance doors) to keep the heat in and the draughts out. There's stopping draughts and making your house air-tight. Be careful to leave some ventilation and install and check carbon monoxide alarms.

Talking of doors, draught-proofing strip is cheap and easy to apply.

For internal doors, if a rooms isn't being used, then why not turn the heating down in that room? Keeping internal doors shut will keep the heat in the rooms rather than heat escaping into hallways nobodies 'living' in.

Dress warmly. No don't go wearing winter coats and gloves inside - it'll only make the outside seem colder should you have to venture out. But wearing layers of loose clothing will help trap heat around your body. Don't go Phew! and take a jumper off - turn the thermostat down a degree or two instead. It will make a difference to your energy bills - even in a modern house.

And even if you've got fully fitted carpets, wearing warm socks and slippers around the home will certainly help you keep and feel warmer.

One word of caution regarding candles - it can be tempting to use them for a little ambient warmth but take special care not to leave any unattended. Extinguish all candles before going to bed. 

photo credit: andrew vargas

Clear away snow without fear of prosecution this Winter

A new 'Snow Code' will encourage residents to take action without fear of prosecution as it was revealed that last year, many were too afraid to clear snow for fear of falling foul of health and safety laws, leaving themselves open to prosecution.

The Government has announced that homeowners and shopkeepers alike will be able to take "common-sense action" to help clear away snowfall, which last Winter, caused a £1 billion pounds-worth of disruption to the country, following the publication of a report into last Winter's disruption.

The report also suggested greater road salt reserves be held by local councils and improvements in road salt supply logistics.

Rail and air travellers will also be cheered to learn that the report recommended Rail Companies de-ice more trains and make better use of contingency timetables, whilst air travellers will be pleased to learn that recommendations of making more de-icer available to airlines and airports alike as well as keeping passengers better informed were suggested.

One of last Winter's biggest moans by the public involved so called boundary changes - e.g a bus station wasn't gritted but the road was etc. The report highlights this issue and says 'who grits what' must be sorted out well in advance.

It concludes by advising that routes to rail and bus stations, airports and ports and access to the motorway network must be the priority to keep the country moving.

(taken from the Home Improvement Quotes Newsletter 1st November - click here)

photo credit: alex s

Don’t wait for Winter, Get Your Heating Sorted Now.

As Autumn draws in, if you haven’t already then now is a good time to get your home’s heating system checked over by a professional. In fact, if you’ve got some form of heating cover, then check your policy as these sometimes include a free annual health check of your homes central heating and hot water systems.

You might think it’s a little early to be thinking about burst pipes, but after a long period of relatively little use during the summer, now is the perfect time to have your home’s heating system checked over.

And if the very worst was discovered and you needed a new boiler, then you’ve a few weeks to get that sorted rather than taking the first one offered because you’re huddled up like Eskimos.

As well as checking the correct burning operation of your boiler, they’ll also inspect flues for blockages. Blockages that could lead to a deathly build up of the colourless, tasteless, odourless carbon monoxide.

And if you’re planning on using additional heating appliances, then these should also be checked – it’s probably a few months past they were stored away in the garage or shed. Check pipe connectors and their seals for signs of wear and replace if necessary. Check ignitors work correctly and safety guards aren’t damaged or loose. Check wiring and plugs for signs of fraying or broken plastic.

And once winter is here, don’t leave any portable heating appliances, whether they be electric, gas or liquid fuelled, on overnight. During the Winter months, house fires caused by heating appliances shoot up in numbers, very often with fatal or near death results for the occupants.

Tips:

• Always use a Corgi registered plumber or heating engineer to check and gas central heating.


• Check the exterior of flues for signs of obvious blockage – bird nests or rubbish piled up around the flu will stop deadly gases escaping.


• Get a carbon monoxide alarm fitted – just like a smoke alarm, they save lives.


• Check your carbon monoxide and smoke alarm batteries regularly.


• If you use wood or coal stoves, have the chimney checked and swept if required.


• Check your home heating cover policy – you may qualify for a free annual inspection!


• Don’t leave it till Winter to discover you need a heating engineer. They’ll be too busy to attend straightaway and you’ll be very cold indeed.


• Check your elderly neighbours OK. A few minutes checking timing clocks and smoke alarm batteries can make all the difference.


• Follow the safety instructions on all portable appliances and never leave them on overnight whilst your asleep.

Double Glazing enquiries soar as Winter chills creep in

Double Glazing enquiries soar as Winter chills creep in.

Everywhere you look there is evidence of Winter's approach – from piles of golden leaves covering the streets and pavements to the shorter days and the need for thicker coats when venturing outside.

Home owners will also be feeling the effects of dropping temperatures and darker nights as heating thermostats creep up, and mental notes are made to shop for thicker curtains.

Of course, with the advancements in Upvc windows and doors, and new glass technologies that reflect heat and cold out, we can all enjoy warmer homes without extortionate fuel bills.

And now is the perfect time to enjoy some pre-Christmas offers coupled with the modern excellent window and door frames designs now on offer.

Modern Upvc double glazed windows and doors have come a long way. Many feature multi-compartment frames which help trap warm air and add to the all round insulation properties of the unit. Steel re-inforcement has made warping a thing of the past and modern composites mean discolouration went out with the Ark.

Extra features like locking handles, both ways opening and tilt n'turn styles, which make it easier to clean your windows from the inside are now readily available. Perhaps you need a window that will double as a fire escape? No problem.

And Owners of period properties can also enjoy the benefits of Upvc with quality sash style frames carefully designed to blend in with existing character features.

When Henry Ford said “Any colour – as long as it's black”, he could have been referring to windows (in the literal sense). White is no longer the only colour on the street. Until recently, you may have been offered Oak or Cherry even but now even that choice has been extended as modern materials mean a greater choice.
It's also made it possible for many Double Glazing companies to offer a combination of colours – perhaps oak on the outside but white on the inside would suit you better?

The Industry itself seems to have gone through a transformation as well with pushy, doorstep tactics (whilst still used by some) on the decline as window companies focus on customer care as a priority, and realise that a customer treated properly, will come back for other work later – conservatories, roofing and fascia etc.

WindowQuoter was set up to offer home owners the opportunity to get instant on line price guides for their double glazing requirements. You can enter your own window measurements, select the style of window – bay or bow, number and position of openers etc and receive an expectation of price there and then all from the comfort of your own home without the need for a salesman to call.

Later, we'll call you and just confirm that you were able to get your online quote. As part of our online service, we can then offer you the opportunity to get up to 3 written quotations for the work you want doing that will be valid for 6 months and come from approved, local to you, companies on our registered database of over 600 companies covering the UK.

It's a completely free service to you – the home owner – and you can be assured of receiving written quotations without any selling pressure as the companies we select will know that other companies will also be offering quotations. This means you get no inflated price tactics etc.

It's a service we've been offering to home owners for the last 7 years (we are industry leaders in providing online quotations) and we can now say that practically someone on every street in the UK has used our service.

If you avail yourself of our free service, then we'll email you details of your own secure login area so you can verify which companies we've passed your details onto. You can leave feedback on your experiences with that company and if you decide to accept one of the quotations from one of our recommended companies, then you can print off your own pre-filled deposit protection certificate. Another completely free service from WindowQuoter.

WindowQuoter from Price Engines – The family of home improvement 'quoter websites. To see our entire range of instant online home improvement 'quoter websites, click here to visit www.homeimprovementquotes.co.uk.

How to get your central heating ready for winter

How to……………Get your central heating ready for winter

As that first cold snap hits us, we start thinking of the British winter, and making sure that your home is ‘winter-proof’ should be top of your to-do list. Freezing cold mornings come without warning and long winter nights soon draw in, so make sure you’re prepared. According to Lloyds TSB Insurance, dealing with burst pipes caused by freezing conditions, now amounts to an average cost per household of £2,500. The last thing you want it is to wake up on a chilly October morning to find your boiler has stopped working or your living room full of water. Here are five top tips to make your home ‘winter-proof’ plus advice on what to do in case of an emergency:

1 – Insulation and lagging keep the cold out
Water tanks, cisterns and boilers feel the cold during winter and they can stop functioning properly if left without insulation. Insulating-jackets are available for around £20.00 and can easily be fitted by novice DIYers – so you won’t have the expense or hassle of getting a plumber in. The jacket helps to prevent the boiler becoming damaged by keeping winter temperatures out, but make sure that there is no insulation under the water tank because this will act as a barrier for rising heat, causing the tank to become more susceptible to freezing.

Similarly, pipes can be insulated with foam lagging – which is designed to delay freezing in exposed areas for up to eight hours, and works better that the old style felt lagging which becomes worn and damaged. Turn off the system and allow the pipes to cool before you remove any worn or damaged lagging – especially the old style felt lagging. There are a variety of materials available but the most convenient choice is pre-formed foam tubes, at least 20mm-25mm thick – but remember to seal the joins with suitable tape once all the piping has been lagged.

2 – Lime scale affects your central heating system too
For those of you living in hard-water areas, lime scale is something you can’t get away from, be it in your kettle, washing machine or pipe work. Banging or popping noises in your central heating system are often caused by lime scale or corrosion debris becoming baked onto the heat exchanger surface. Circulating heavy-duty de-scaler through the system is an easy and cost-effective way to get your boiler back on top form, preventing the need for a replacement boiler or re-plumbing. Chemical de-scaler is available for under £25 – leave it in the system for a few days then drain, flush through and refill the system. Easy!

3 – Bleed those radiators, fix those drips
All radiators should be bled at least twice a year, as the constant heating and cooling of water naturally releases air bubbles. If the top of the radiator is noticeably cooler that the bottom, there is a good chance that this air has become trapped, reducing the amount of heat given out. This can easily be solved by bleeding the radiator – but don’t do it with the central heating pump on as more air may be sucked in, making the problem even worse! Fit a bleed key onto the valve and wrap an old cloth around it to avoid getting water on your carpet. Slowly twist the key half a turn only and the air inside the radiator should start hissing. When the water starts to trickle out all the air will have been expelled so the valve can be tightened back up – but be careful not to over tighten it!

Similarly, if any taps – inside or out – have been dripping all summer now is the time to finally get them fixed as leaks can cause pipes to freeze up and burst causing a lot of damage.

4 – Service your boiler
In recent months, the dangers of carbon monoxide, caused by blocked flues and un-serviced boilers, have been significantly highlighted and the risks are even more prevalent during the winter. Carbon monoxide is produced by fuel-burning appliances such as boilers and water heaters and is an odourless, colourless and highly poisonous gas. It’s important to check that chimney ventilation and gas flues don’t freeze over or become blocked by snow or leaves during the winter months. In addition, do not obstruct sources of ventilation in an attempt to keep out whistling winter draughts – blocked ventilation can cause a dangerous build up of CO2 in your home. CO2 detectors are a simple way to make you aware of raised levels of carbon monoxide and you can also look out for gas boiler flames that burn orange or yellow instead of blue – however don’t rely on these methods alone.

Annual heating system health checks by CORGI registered engineers are essential. Spending just a few weeks without heating or hot water can pose health problems, especially for the elderly and very young, so it’s important to get your heating system serviced. Even if there appears to be nothing wrong with it, when left over the warm summer months, parts of the heating system may seize up.

5 – Emergencies! Know where your stopcock is
Water in internal and external pipes expand during freezing conditions, sometimes causing pipes to split or crack. Once the ice thaws it will pour through the holes causing hundreds of pounds worth of house-hold damage and possible flooding. Burst pipes can be expensive and awkward to fix and it may involve digging up your garden or drive-way, so make sure you know how to turn off the water supply and where the stop tap is located to limit the amount of damage. The main tap is usually found under the sink or where the service pipe enters your house, alternatively, turn off the stopcock in your cold water tank if you have one – this is usually located in the loft. If you’re too late to turn the water off before the damage has been done, make sure you protect everything around the burst pipe and drain the system – this can be done by turning on cold taps, ready for when the ice melts, and flushing the toilet to empty the system. If you don’t want to wait for the ice to thaw, try using a hairdryer on the pipes starting at the end nearest to the tap but be careful as the burst pipe may spray water as it thaws.

Finally, don’t forget to turn off your central heating, boiler or immersion and don't switch them back on until you are sure that the system has thawed out – if heat is applied suddenly there is a risk of explosion, which is the last thing you need after dealing with burst pipes!

Following this advice your home should stay warm, cosy and safe during the chilly British winter.

Visit www.Homeimprovementquotes.co.uk for more information.