As the winter months roll in, it’s worth taking time to get your home ready to face the cold. Tackling a few simple jobs now will (hopefully) save you money, prevent avoidable repairs, and keep everything running smoothly through the long winter months. This checklist covers the main areas that tend to cause issues once temperatures drop, giving you an easy plan to work through at your own pace.
If you're topping up supplies for the season ahead, our winter home & garden essentials are a good place to start — from cleaning bits to draught stoppers and handy tools.
Winter Home Prep Essentials: Step-by-Step Guide to Cold Weather-Proof Your Home
1. Tightly Seal Winter Draughts
If cold air sneaks in around doors and windows, your heating system will be forced to work overtime – and that shows up quickly on your energy bills. The solution?
Seal any visible gaps by adding draught excluders to doors, using insulation film on windows, and fixing weatherstrips around frames. This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to make your home feel warmer without touching the thermostat. It’s also worth tightening up small spots like keyholes and letterboxes, which often let in more cold air than you’d expect.
TOP TIP: It’s not always obvious that air is getting in. So, place your hand against the trim of your doors, the back of your letterbox, or around your window frames – it’s cold or draughty, you’ve got a problem.
2. Control Damp & Condensation
Condensation forms as a result of warm air coming into contact with cold surfaces – the most common example is condensation on windows from taking a hot shower. But it’s more than just a temporary annoyance – if it settles, it encourages dampness and mould, which can be costly to fix. Reducing moisture at the source keeps your home healthier and stops problems escalating.
Clever moisture traps or a small dehumidifier can make a noticeable difference in a matter of hours. Running extractor fans, wiping windows each morning, and keeping vents clear also help prevent moisture build-up — and protect the areas you’d spend more money repairing later.
3. Give Your Heating System a Winter Boost
When radiators aren’t working efficiently, you end up turning the heating higher and keeping it on longer, which quickly drives up energy costs. A few quick checks can help your system perform better without spending extra on fuel.
First things first – bleed your radiators. This 30-second task helps them heat evenly, while checking boiler pressure keeps everything running smoothly. It’s also smart to move furniture away from radiators and add reflector panels behind them to warm the room faster – meaning less time with the heating cranked all the way up.
4. Protect Your Pipes From Freezing
A burst pipe is one of the most expensive winter mishaps a household can face. The key is to insulate vulnerable pipes – this costs very little but can save you hundreds of pounds in repairs and water damage.
Wrap insulation around exposed pipework, pop covers on outdoor taps and, in very cold spells, keep the heating ticking over at a low setting. Knowing where your stop tap is means you can act quickly if anything ever goes wrong.
5. Tackle Gutters, Drains & Outdoor Maintenance
Overflowing gutters are a common cause of damp patches and water ingress inside the home. So, it’s best to take preventative steps way before the winter months roll around to prevent blockages that can lead to costly repairs later.
All you need are a few simple garden tools like a brush, rake, and shovel. Scoop out leaves and debris, clear downpipes to allow for an unobstructed flow, and ensure water has a clear route away from the house to avoid water from pooling near brickwork. A quick sweep of paths keeps outdoor areas safer when it’s frosty or icy and avoids damage caused by standing water turning to ice.
6. Protect Your Plants & Outdoor Furniture
Bad weather can take a toll on your outdoor areas. A bit of prep now prevents breakages, water damage, and repeated spend replacing items later.
Bring in or cover garden furniture with weatherproof tarpaulin, tidy sheds to make springtime garden jobs more efficient, and protect delicate plants with frost fleece, a cloche, or a layer of mulch. You should also sweep leaves from decking and patios to reduce slip hazards while preventing soggy leaf build-up that can stain or rot surfaces.
7. Create a Winter-Ready Emergency Kit
A simple emergency kit saves time and stress during storms, power cuts or sudden cold snaps. Having essentials in one place often prevents unexpected last-minute spending when conditions worsen.
A torch, spare batteries, basic tools, blankets, a first-aid kit, rock salt, and a few cupboard-friendly foods are worth having on standby. It’s a small effort that pays off when the weather catches you out.
8. Deep Clean Your Interior Spaces
With more time spent indoors, it pays to give the house a quick refresh. A clean home feels warmer, fresher, and more comfortable – especially when spending a longer time indoors thanks to daylight savings. Plus, taking care of small issues now prevents bigger cleaning jobs later.
There are a few deep-clean tasks that should be on your list, like shampooing carpets, wiping skirting boards, disinfecting pet areas, and scrubbing fire surrounds. However, everyday chores like wiping surfaces, vacuuming, and keeping dust at bay shouldn’t be overlooked.
9. Check Major Alarm Systems for Efficiency
A few simple checks now can prevent problems later in the season. Firstly, make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly, especially if you use open fires or solid fuel appliances. Explore our home security & safety range to stay fully prepared for the colder months.
Look over automatic outdoor lighting, too, so you’re never caught in the dark, and check paths and steps for trip hazards. It’s best to level out small issues now, rather than deal with multiple issues once frost or ice sets in.
For everything from draught excluders to de-icers, explore our winter prep and home essentials to get your home fully ready for the season. And don’t forget to save our winter home maintenance checklist for next year!
