Don't let the frost bite your home this winter
The cold weather and festive season can give homeowners enough trouble, without having to worry about problems with heating, plumbing, electrics or security. Luckily, peace of mind can be found with a Home Response 24 policy from Direct Line, which provides a 24/7 service for emergencies in the home, whether the boiler packs up, the lights go out, or the pipes freeze.
Jenny Trueman, home expert at Direct Line, warns: "Wintry weather can wreak havoc on the home, whether it's a boiler that seizes up at just the wrong time or a pipe that freezes and bursts. Homeowners can take a few simple precautions to protect themselves. This includes preventative maintenance work and getting a good home emergency policy.
"It can be difficult to find a reputable tradesman at any time, but they are especially busy in the winter. Customers with home emergency cover from Direct Line can be assured that, if something goes wrong, we'll send an experienced tradesman round to help sort it out quickly."
Homeowners cannot control the weather, but there are steps they can take to protect their homes in the cold weather. Direct Line has the following tips:
Insulate exposed pipes with preformed pipe insulation and replace the washers on any dripping taps - if the taps freeze, the pipe will get blocked.
Know where your stopcock is and learn how to shut it off in case a pipe does burst.
Have your chimney swept before lighting the first fire of the winter.
In very cold weather the heating should be left on at a low level, or set to come on a couple of times a day, especially if the property will be unoccupied. The minimum temperature for the boiler will vary depending on how cold the weather gets, but a good gauge is to set it to a temperature that would be suitable for occupation at night.
Open the loft trap door on cold days to let heat in.
If possible, lag any exposed pipes in the loft, to stop them from freezing and then bursting as they thaw.
Check your loft insulation is in good condition. Make sure it has not been damaged or disturbed, and make any improvements before the freezing temperatures set in.
In the event of a home emergency, Home Response 24 assists homeowners immediately and will send out an authorised repairer at a mutually agreed time. Home Response 24 is available for emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The product can be purchased by any qualifying homeowner, regardless of whether they have their home insurance with Direct Line.