Keep Your Home in Working Order This Winter and Festive Season

(MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- It is easy to forget how dependent we are on the plumbing systems in our homes, but you do need to spend some time preparing for the winter months to ensure your plumbing system is in top working order. This is especially important to consider if you are hosting family or friends during the Christmas season.

Your kitchen, toilers, showers and baths will work a lot harder during these times than any other throughout the year, so you have to be prepared, to avoid having to call a drain cleaning expert. In the kitchen you should avoid too many fats and oils down the drain as the cold let it set even faster and in winter a clog could be very inconvenient to deal with, even for the most experienced plumbers. To assist your drain cleaning and their operation, it is also advisable to run some cold water down the drain before and after using it to ensure any small particles stuck to the sides of the pipes are cleared. In order to avoid any uncomfortable moments, try to do the washing or the dishes when none of your guests are using the shower.

Showers should be spread out, 15 minutes apart, as opposed to being taken consecutively to maximise your boiler's efficiency. You can also turn the water temperature up to ensure everyone has a nice warm shower. Keep your drains clean and avoid having to call a drain cleaning expert to restore your system's working condition.

If you have a fireplace you should ensure the top of your chimney is capped or screened to keep animals out and it's also a good time to have your chimney cleaned if it's not been cleaned for a while. Store your firewood in a dry place away from the exterior of your home, this way you can look forward to many cosy fires this winter. A few quick checks could also help ensure your fireplace, as a means of heating, is performing as well as it can. Inspect the fireplace's damper and make sure it opens and closes correctly, and remember to check the mortar in your fireplace and to patch any cracks or gaps.

When the family is over safety comes first, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are an easy way to achieve some peace of mind, knowing that if something should go wrong, you will have time to react. Keep extra batteries for the devise and be sure to test them before mounting them, they do have to work after all.

You should also ensure that your pipes are properly prepared for the winter. Frozen pipes can burst and lead to severe damage. Always know where your water main is, so that you can turn it off in an emergency and always drain all of your garden hoses, and put lagging on all of the exposed pipes around your house. These simple steps can not only help make your home more energy efficient, which will save you some money in the process, but they will also help to prevent any major damage as a result of the winter. 

Contacts:
Dyno
Sutherland House, Maple Road, SURBITON
Surrey, KT6 4BJ
 020 8481 2200

020 8481 2288 (FAX)
www.dyno.com

 Source Dyno