Essential Winter Home Preparation Checklist

Winter has a knack for highlighting all the weak spots in your home. A draughty window here, a radiator that doesn’t heat evenly, or worse, frozen pipes. Getting ahead of it now isn’t just about staying warm. It’s about preventing the kind of damage that leads to expensive repairs and insurance claims. Here’s a practical checklist to work through before the temperature drops.

Heating and boiler checks

Your heating system works harder in winter than at any other time of year, so it’s worth giving it some attention before the cold arrives and you have your boiler break down.

• Book an annual boiler service. A Gas Safe registered engineer will check for faults and make sure everything is running safely and efficiently. Get it booked before October if you can.
• Check your boiler pressure. It should sit between 1 and 1.5 bar. If it’s dropped below that, top it up using the filling loop. Check your manual if you’re unsure how.
• Bleed your radiators. Cold patches at the top of a radiator mean trapped air. A radiator bleeding key costs very little and takes minutes to use.
• Test your thermostat. Make sure it’s responding correctly. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading to a smart thermostat for better energy efficiency, now’s a good time.

Pipes and plumbing tips

Frozen pipes are one of the most common and costly winter problems. A burst pipe can cause significant water damage to your home, and if it’s deemed preventable, your insurer may not cover it.

• Find your stopcock. Know where it is and make sure it turns easily. If there’s ever a leak, you’ll need to act fast.
• Insulate exposed pipes. Pipes in lofts, garages, and other unheated spaces are most at risk. Foam pipe lagging is cheap and straightforward to fit.
• Fix dripping taps. A dripping tap can freeze in very cold temperatures. Sort it before winter arrives.
• Keep heating running in unused areas. If parts of your home aren’t regularly occupied, leave the heating on a low setting to stop pipes from freezing.
• Disconnect outdoor taps. Drain them and fit an insulated cover before the first frost.

Picture this:

You leave for a week over Christmas with the heating switched off entirely. Temperatures drop to minus five. A pipe in the loft freezes, expands, and bursts. By the time you return, water has been running through your ceiling for days. Leaving the heating on low costs a few pounds. The alternative can cost thousands.

Roof and gutters

Your roof and gutters are your first line of defence against winter storms. Blocked or broken gutters can cause water to overflow and seep into your walls or foundations.

• Clear gutters and downpipes. Remove leaves and debris before they cause blockages. Our guide on how to clean gutters walks you through it safely.
• Check for cracked or missing roof tiles. Replace them before the first storm.
• Inspect the loft for damp patches. These can indicate a roof leak that hasn’t yet made itself obvious from the outside.

Check flashing and chimney areas. These are common spots for water ingress and worth a close look before winter.

Windows and doors

Draughts push heating costs up and make your home feel colder than it needs to be. A bit of time spent on seals and weatherstripping now pays off throughout the season.

• Check window and door seals for signs of wear and replace any weatherstripping that’s no longer doing its job.
• Test for draughts and use draught excluders where needed, particularly on older doors.
• Watch for condensation in double glazing. This can indicate a failed seal, which reduces the insulating effect of the glass.
• Lubricate locks and hinges. Cold temperatures can make metal contract, causing doors and windows to stick or jam.

For more on securing doors and windows properly, it’s worth checking everything is functioning well before temperatures really drop.

Garden and exterior prep

The outside of your home needs attention too. Cold, ice, and winter storms can cause real damage if you haven’t prepared.

• Store or cover garden furniture. Anything that can be brought inside should be. For larger items, use weatherproof covers and secure them before storms arrive.
• Disconnect and drain outdoor taps. Fit insulated covers to prevent frost damage.
• Check fences and gates. Loose panels won’t survive a winter storm. Secure anything that moves.
• Trim overhanging branches. Heavy snow or ice can bring down branches, causing damage to your property or a neighbour’s.

Unoccupied property tips

Leaving your home empty this winter? There are a few extra steps to take, and your insurer may require some of them as a condition of your cover.

• Set the thermostat to at least 12°C to keep the risk of frozen pipes down.
• Turn off the water supply at the stopcock if you’ll be away for an extended period.
• Ask someone you trust to check on the property every few days.
• Let your insurer know about any prolonged absence. Some policies have specific requirements around unoccupied properties that could affect your cover if not followed.

For broader advice on reducing the risk of leaving your home empty, it’s worth reading before you head off.

Insurance considerations for winter

Winter weather is one of the most common causes of home insurance claims, from storm damage and burst pipes to boiler breakdowns. Physical preparation is essential, but so is knowing where you stand with your cover.

• Check for winter-related exclusions in your policy. Some policies have conditions around escape of water or storm damage that you need to be aware of.
• Make sure your rebuild cost is accurate. If your home is underinsured and something goes wrong, you may not receive enough to cover the full cost of repairs.
• Consider home emergency cover for unexpected boiler or plumbing issues. It can make a real difference when you need a fast response in the middle of winter.

With Lemonade’s home insurance, you can check your cover and manage your policy directly through the app, so you always know exactly where you stand.

Before we go

Getting your home winter-ready takes a bit of time upfront, but it pays off throughout the season. Work through the checklist, sort the small things before they become big ones, and make sure your insurance reflects what your home actually needs.

Winter preparation FAQs