Happy home

The exterior of your home is its barrier against the elements and it's best to deal with any issues at the end of the summer before winter cold sets in. Any flaws in the paintwork can cause damp patches on internal walls, mould, damaged paintwork and peeling wallpaper.

Have a close look at your brickwork. Does it look cracked or damaged? If so, you'll need to think about re-pointing, rendering and replacing brickwork and have the damp proof course (the waterproof layer between bricks) checked. Likewise, ask a roofer or your window cleaner to inspect your roof. You don't want any broken tiles or holes in a flat roof letting rain in.

Heart of the matter

Your boiler is the most important 'organ' in your home, pumping hot water into radiators, showers and taps. To keep it in good working order, have it serviced once a year. Do this in the summer, as this will give you ample time to deal with any problems before the first cold snap hits. Always use a CORGI-registered engineer. If you're away in winter set the heating to come on daily to prevent pipes from freezing if temperatures plummet.

You wouldn't dream of braving the English winter without the right clothing so why expose your pipes and water tanks to extremes of temperature? Insulating lofts, pipes and tanks not only saves you money on heating bills but help prevent freezing and bursting in winter.

Your home's plumbing is basically its nervous system, delivering water and heat wherever it's needed. Don't wait until there's an emergency to find out where your stopcock is – you want to be able shut off the water supply immediately.

Related links

Home insulation – 10 tips for keeping your house warm and saving energy.

Home insurance quote – Get a home insurance quote.

Home Maintenance – selection of informative articles on home maintenance.