Devon winters aren't brutal, but they are long, wet and windy, and that combination is exactly what finds the weak spots in a home. Most of the emergency call-outs we get between November and February could have been avoided with an hour or two of preparation in autumn. A little maintenance now saves you the stress (and cost) of a burst pipe or a damp-soaked wall when it's cold and dark outside.
Here's a practical, room-by-room checklist you can work through. Tick the boxes as you go so you can see what's done and what's left.
Outside the house
This is where winter damage usually starts, so it's the place to begin.
- [ ] Clear gutters and downpipes of leaves and debris so rainwater drains away from the walls
- [ ] Check the roof for slipped, cracked or missing tiles (a job for someone with the right access)
- [ ] Inspect external walls and render for cracks where water could get in
- [ ] Check pointing on brickwork and around windows and doors
- [ ] Make sure drains and gullies are clear and flowing freely
- [ ] Cut back any branches that could fall or rub against the roof in high winds
- [ ] Store or secure garden furniture, bins and anything that could blow about
Pipes and plumbing
Frozen pipes are the classic winter disaster, and a burst one can do thousands of pounds of damage in minutes.
- [ ] Lag (insulate) exposed pipes in lofts, garages and outbuildings
- [ ] Insulate any outdoor taps or turn off and drain them
- [ ] Locate your stopcock and check it turns easily. You'll want to find it fast in an emergency
- [ ] Fix any dripping taps or slow leaks before the cold sets in
- [ ] If you're going away, leave the heating on a low timer to keep pipes from freezing
Heating and warmth
- [ ] Book a boiler service before the cold weather (don't wait for it to fail on the first frost)
- [ ] Bleed radiators if the tops stay cold when the heating's on
- [ ] Check for draughts around doors, windows and letterboxes and fit draught excluders
- [ ] Make sure loft insulation is in good condition and the right depth. Poor insulation lets heat (and money) escape through the roof
Damp and condensation
Winter is peak season for condensation, because warm, moist indoor air meets cold surfaces, and that's what feeds black mould.
- [ ] Check extractor fans in the bathroom and kitchen are working properly
- [ ] Keep trickle vents on windows open for background ventilation
- [ ] Try to dry washing outside or in a ventilated room rather than on radiators
- [ ] Leave a gap behind furniture on cold external walls
- [ ] Watch corners, window reveals and behind wardrobes for the first signs of mould
Windows, doors and small repairs
- [ ] Check window and door seals and replace any that are perished
- [ ] Re-seal or re-grout around baths, showers and sinks if the sealant is cracked (this stops slow leaks)
- [ ] Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries
- [ ] Sort out the small jobs (a sticking door, a loose handle, a cracked tile) before they get worse
Don't put off the jobs at height
A lot of this checklist is straightforward DIY. But the items that involve ladders, the roof or working at height are the ones worth handing over, both for safety and because a trained eye will spot problems you'd miss. Gutters, roof checks, high-level pointing and exterior repairs are far cheaper to deal with now than after water has got in.
Need a hand getting your home winter-ready?
Devon Home Maintenance can take care of the whole list in one tidy visit, anywhere in Exeter and the surrounding area. That includes gutter clearing, exterior checks, draught-proofing, small repairs, plumbing fixes and insulation. One afternoon of prep now beats an emergency call-out in January.
Tell us what your home needs. Call 07391092619 or message us through the website for a quote. We're here Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.