How to get your home ready for winter

Although our country has been desperate for rain for months now, to end the devastating drought, in certain instances heavy rains could cause some issues in and outside of our home.

With winter fast approaching, now is the perfect time to consider a few of the complications that could arise from heavy rains around your home, from damage to our gardens and to experiencing more complicated and costly issues like damaged roofs or flooding
Maintenance

It is very important to ensure your gutters are cleared and clean and your roof is clear of any damage or leaks etc. It is also important that the waterproofing around your home is adequate. Water damage to household property can end up costing a fortune, and although your insurance company may cover most of these damages, they may not if you have had leakages for a long time and haven’t fixed them prior. For these reasons it is very important to keep up the maintenance in your home.
Looking after your pipes.

Complete regular plumbing maintenance and improvements to ensure that the plumbing and insulation is in order.

  • Thermal insulation of pipes will reduce the risk of burst pipes, but consider that this would only be effective for exposed pipes
  • If you are planning to go away it would be better to drain all the water from the pipes by closing the main water valve and open each tap to drain all the water. This will prevent any unwanted water or electricity wasted which would otherwise help to prevent frozen pipes from bursting.

Water damage as a result of burst pipes.

  • Turn off your water at the mains. This will stop the flow of water into the house and prevent any more water coming into the pipes that could lead to further damage;
  • Switch off your main electrical supply, especially if any electrical sockets could be exposed to water;

Regular checks

It is a good idea to check your home regularly for any leakages, or obstructions that maybe blocking water flow out or away from your property. Drainage outlets need to be clear and allow water to drain into the municipal storm water channels.

Trojan Plumbing can help you get your home winter ready! If you need any assistance or need one of our professional staff members to come to your home and do a inspection then give us a call on 087 357 3461 we are open 24/7.