Give your new-build home a helping hand this winter

As the nights draw in and the weather turns colder, many of us will be adding extra layers, digging out our winter coats and switching our heating on to keep warm. But we’re not the only ones that benefit from some extra TLC during the winter months. There’s value in winter preparation for all types of homes – and for those of you moving into a recently completed new-build home, there are a few extra things to be aware of.

Here’s five top tips to help keep your home in good shape during cold and wet weather.

1. Make the most of your heating: Set your heating to come on when you need it most and use room thermometers – and individual radiator thermometers – to manage the temperature. Aim to keep the inside of your house between 18-20^oC – nudging the thermostat up too high in a newly-built home could accelerate the natural drying out process and lead to superficial plaster cracks. 
2. Insulate but ventilate: New-build properties are generally very well insulated, although there may still be improvements you can make such as adding draft excluders to keyholes and letterboxes. But while it’s important to keep heat in, it’s also essential to ventilate your home, particularly during the first year. Make sure the vents in any double-glazed windows and doors are open to allow air flow and make use of your extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms to reduce the risk of condensation.
3. Prepare your home for when you’re away: You might be tempted to switch off your heating and hot water before going away, but setting both to come on, even at a low temperature such as 10 degrees, will reduce the risk of frozen or burst water pipes if temperatures take a dive while you’re away.
4. Clear out your gutters: Even new-build homes need regular maintenance. Keeping your gutters clear of leaves and debris will allow your pipes and gutters to do their job and minimise the risk of water ingress. 
5. Secure anything loose in advance of high winds: When high winds are forecast, take a moment to secure any lightweight outdoor furniture, plant pots or other loose materials that could cause damage if left to blow around.

These are just a few quick tips to help protect your home in the winter. Keep an eye out for further information and advice from our Warranty Providers – Checkmate, LABC Warranty, Premier Guarantee and NHBC  – which we’ll be sharing on our Twitter and LinkedIn pages.