Checklist: 10 Steps to Prepare Your Home for Winter

The first snowfall is the wrong time to discover a clogged gutter. Here are 10 points that will save your nerves and money this winter.## Checklist: Your home before winter1. Clean gutters and downpipes — leaves now mean ice and cracks in January.2. Check the roofing — look for displaced or cracked tiles and battens.3. Service your furnace/boiler — a more efficient heater means lower bills and better safety.4. Bleed the radiators — cold bottoms mean trapped air in the system.5. Seal windows and doors — replace seals and adjust the frames.6. Secure garden taps and water connections — disconnect hoses, close valves, and drain the water.7. Check ventilation — a lack of draft in winter leads to mold on the walls.8. Insulate exposed pipes — specifically in unheated basements and garages.9. Stock up on salt/sand and snow removal tools — buy them before the first frost hits.10. Keep emergency numbers handy — save the contacts for a roofer and plumber now, not during a breakdown.## How much does it costFor self-service items 1, 4–10: mostly your time. Furnace service: £40–£100. Roof inspection: £40–£100. Emergency winter call-outs: 2–5× more expensive.Do it in one weekend — and if you prefer to outsource, post your job on LocalTrader.