It's true in Game of Thrones and it's true in Aberdeen: Winter is coming! From cleaning your gutters to checking your boilers, we take a look at ways to protect your home from winter damage.

Check your boiler

It is usually advised that your boiler gets a service at least once a year, which is especially important in the run up to winter. As well as providing your home with hot water, in the colder weather your boiler is also responsible for heating the house, so having it checked in either summer or autumn would be most efficient.

Think outside the house

With high winds likely, securing loose items outside of the house is absolutely essential. Whether it’s garden furniture, lighting fixtures or swinging gates, ‘loose ends’ should be tied up to prevent any debris damaging the building. This should also be the case for any roof tiles that are not secure; why not hire a professional to do any checks and replace tiles where necessary?

Clean the gutters

Clogged up gutters and drains can cause huge amounts of problems during the winter months. If being up a ladder doesn’t faze you, clearing the gutters is definitely something you can do yourself. However, to avoid any accidents and to ensure the job is done sufficiently, it may be best to pay someone for their services. Clearing gutters and drains will greatly reduce the risks of blockages or overflow, which could lead to major flood damage.

Protect your pipes

The big freeze in the winter of 2010/2011 caused damage to three million homes in the UK, with the biggest claims being as a result of burst water pipes. Leaving your central heating on for short periods throughout the day will reduce the risk of pipes freezing and consequently bursting. Pipes should also be well insulated, a job that should be tackled before winter begins. 

Make sure you’re covered

Ensure you’re insured. While most policies will cover floods and other damaging effects of the winter weather, some cheaper policies may not. It’s highly important to know what you’re covered for and to understand the terms of your policy. In the event of making a claim, ensure you have all of the information you need to avoid any disputes with your provider.