Is Your Holiday Home Ready for Winter?

The clocks have gone back and summer has officially ended. As the nights get darker and the bleak weather approaches, winter can be undeniably harsh for holiday homes.

Unfortunately, break-ins tend to increase in winter as opportunistic thieves take advantage of darker evenings. There is also the onslaught of rain, frost, snow and storms – all these can cause damage and destruction at holiday homes.

Although insurance will cover some instances, insurance isn’t a maintenance contract. Unfortunately, there will be ‘wear and tear’ incidents when you can’t claim. Therefore, it’s better to protect your home with some preventative winter maintenance and lessen the chance of suffering damage in first place. This will hopefully prevent you having to deal with unexpected repair bills.

So what steps can you take to check your holiday home is ready for the winter ahead?

Use this holiday home winter maintenance checklist…

Winter weathering

1. Frost: Cold snaps can cause devastation when pipes freeze and burst. To prevent pipes freezing, consider leaving the heating on low when your holiday home is unoccupied.
2. Improve insulation: Loft insulation can help reduce heating bills and retain heat, but don’t forget to lag pipes and hot water cylinders in loft areas to prevent freezing. Wrap exposed outside pipes with insulating sleeves and check to see if grants are available in your area for energy-saving improvements.
3. Open the loft hatch: In extreme temperatures open the loft trap door to allow warm air from the house to circulate around the loft and pipes.
4. Service the boiler: Heating failure could cause pipes to freeze and burst during cold snaps. Service your boiler annually to prevent break downs during the frosty months.
5. Drain heating systems: Simply turning off the water is not sufficient for a property that is to be left unoccupied for a long period – there is still a lot of water in the system which can cause damage. Get a plumber to drain down the water and central heating system to remove the risk completely.
6. Check roof tiles: Check for broken roof tiles which could lead to water ingress, plus tiles could fall off in high winds and damage property – or worse still, injure someone.
7. Clear drains: Clear drains and guttering of leaves and debris, so they don’t overflow and cause flooding or damp.
8. Prune trees: In high winds, a falling tree could damage your property or a third party. Keep trees well pruned, remove dead/damaged branches and ensure they are clear of buildings and cables.
9. Seal drafts: Check for gaps around windows and seal with caulk.
10. Outbuildings: Don’t forget to check that outbuildings are weather tight.
11. Satellite dishes/aerials: Are they fixed securely?
12. Window shutters: Should be well fastened to avoid damage, plus your neighbours won’t appreciate loose shutters banging in the wind.
13. Check for leaks: Washing machines, taps, showers, baths, dishwashers etc. should be checked from time to time for leaks, because even a few drops of water could cause rotting and dampness.
14. Slippery surfaces: If you are letting your holiday home or cottage throughout winter, there is a danger that a guest could slip or fall on icy/slippery paths and decide to sue. Keep driveways, paths and decking well lit, clear of slippery leaves and make sure that you have a good supply of grit or salt.
15. Electricity surges: Install surge protectors as electrical storms and power surges can fry your electrical gadgets such as TV’s, telephones and modems.
16. Paint: Check the exterior paint.
17. Chimneys: Don’t forget to have your chimney swept yearly to avoid chimney fires.
18. Beat the burglars
    Lock doors and windows: This may seem obvious, but some second home owners leave their windows slightly open when properties are left empty over winter – in an attempt to prevent damp. This could invalidate insurance.
19. Alarms: Installing an alarm at your holiday home can deter opportunists, who are likely to choose an easier target. However, consider its effectiveness if your property is remote and there is no-one around for miles. Fitting grilles and shutters may be more effective.
20. Don’t hide keys: If you leave keys hidden under stones, plant pots etc. for guests or workmen, burglars are likely to know where to look. This could also invalidate insurance.
21. Lock outbuildings: Where expensive garden equipment is stored and don’t leave tools lying around which thieves can use to break into your home.
22. Ladders: If you have a ladder stored outside, make sure it is secured down with a padlock and chain.
23. Security lighting: Install lighting to illuminate entry points.
24. Safe: Install a safe to secure valuables whilst you or guests are at your holiday home.
25. A watchful eye: It is a good idea to get a neighbour or housekeeper to check your holiday home every few days to identify any signs of damage or suspicious activity.

Due to being left empty for long periods and being exposed to the elements, holiday homes are most at risk during winter. To help prevent loss or damage from the unforeseen, follow the maintenance tips above and check that your second home insurance is protecting you.

Related posts:

1. Prevent Frozen Pipes And Bursts
2. Burst pipes – 3000 claims in one day
3. Is your holiday home insured during the big freeze?
4. Changing to Long Term Holiday Lets in Winter
5. When Pipes Freeze Or Burst