House insurance covers you for many things - but how should you look after your home in winter?
June 12, 2012
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- House insurance covers you for many things - but how should you look after your home in winter?
It's always important to have the right house insurance in place – and you should always check your policy to make sure you know what you're covered for. But what else can you do to keep your home in shape in winter?
The right house insurance can cover your buildings for many unexpected things in life. But there are some things your insurance probably won't cover – such as frost damage to your home. So as the cold weather sets in it's worth doing a double check of your home to make sure you've done what you can to protect it against the winter chill.
Why worry about frost?
Frost can affect brickwork, brick and stone naturally absorb a certain amount of rainwater. When the weather is warm enough this evaporates naturally, so it's no problem. But if too much water soaks into the wall and then temperatures plummet, the water can freeze. And when it freezes, it expands. This can make mortar crumble and break off the exterior of the bricks. Over time the surface of the wall will flake and fall away. So following these tips could save you a lot of hassle:
Tip 1: Next time it rains, check that your guttering is working properly
Make sure it's not blocked or sagging. And check that all brackets and joints are properly attached.
Tip 2: Your downpipes are not blocked or overflowing
A dripping downpipe can wet the masonry and cause a problem during cold weather. If you're having trouble locating your downpipes, don't worry. You'll generally have one downpipe for each toilet, one for the central heating header tank and one for the cold water storage tank.
Tip 3: Double check any outdoor pipework
Make sure any pipes fixed to the outside of your home are not damaged, blocked or leaking from a joint. Again, this can soak into the masonry and cause frost damage.
Tip 4: Look for signs of repeating soaking
Examine your brickwork – and if part of the wall looks discoloured or stained, try and find the cause. It could be the damp-proof course membrane near the base of your walls leaking. Generally, it's a good idea to check the base of your walls and remove anything that might allow moisture to seep into them, or allow rainwater to run onto the walls.
Tip 5: Take a look at the state of your masonry
Make sure your masonry is solid and not crumbling. Look out for gaps that water can seep into, causing further damage.
And don't forget to get online house insurance quotes to find the best cover
It always makes sense to keep your house insurance up to date – and check it to make sure you've got the right level of cover for your home and its contents. As the old saying goes, 'a stitch in time, saves nine' – especially when it comes to houses. Halifax offers great value house and contents insurance, so take a look at their website today.
To find a company who may assist you further, simply click on the free links located on the right hand side of the page.
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