Households are being advised to draught-proof their homes as the Met Office warns of continued unsettled conditions with rainfall, strong winds and potential snowfall in the coming week
Households throughout the UK are being advised to “cover their keyholes” as another spell of bitter weather looms. Storm Goretti caused widespread disruption across the nation last month when temperatures dropped sharply.
The Met Office has issued alerts regarding ongoing turbulent conditions ahead, with rainfall, powerful winds and possible snow on the horizon. Their outlook for the upcoming week warns: “The weather will remain unsettled throughout the period.
“All areas will have further rain at times, some heavy. Often rather windy, with further snow and ice possible in the north.”, reports the Mirror.
Families are being encouraged to protect their homes against the approaching cold spell and gusty conditions. There are simple measures households can take to stay warm.
The Energy Saving Trust has emphasised the vital importance of draught-proofing in safeguarding both properties and residents’ health. Draughts happen when unwanted cold air enters homes through gaps in the building.
Sealing these access points through draught-proofing means households will use less energy for heating, reports the Express.
Experts recommend examining properties for any gaps, suggesting that looking for light coming through around doors and windows provides an excellent place to begin. They also recommend keeping your ears open for whistling noises when the wind picks up and trying to spot any draughts creeping in.
For most homes, the front door is the prime spot to kick off your draught-proofing mission. Keyholes can be protected from draughts using purpose-made covers that feature a metal disc positioned over the hole.
This stops icy air from sneaking in whilst preventing warm air from escaping your home. You can pick up keyhole covers from DIY shops and online retailers for roughly £2.
Families can also fit letterboxes with a flap or brush to block additional draughts. Any gaps beneath the front door should be tackled with a brush or hinged flap draught excluder.
Meanwhile, gaps around the door frame can be sorted with foam, brush or wiper strips. The Energy Saving Trust cautioned: “Internal doors should not be draught proofed. There should be a gap beneath internal doors to make sure you get sufficient air flow throughout your home.”
You shouldn’t seal up gaps in rooms where proper ventilation matters, such as spaces with open fires or areas where lots of moisture builds up like kitchens and bathrooms.
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