Preparing your home for winter

During winter your home may be left for long periods of time so it’s important that you protect it from the cold conditions & nesting vermin before you leave. Often parks will offer a “winterisation” service at a small cost so if you’re not sure how to prepare your home, speak to them.

Remember – damage to your home in winter can cause insurance premiums to rise so it’s always best to prepare.

First things first – water.

The water system is the single most important part of your home and needs to be drained down properly to avoid damage that can be caused by freezing. Often insurance companies state that you need to drain down for your policy to remain valid. Most parks offer a drain-down service and we recommend speaking to them before taking on the task yourself. They will even reconnect your home after the winter season and the price you pay is much more cost effective than the cost of the repairs if you don’t drain down properly, and your warranty may be invalid.

Cleaning

A spring clean may be good to dust off the cobwebs but a winter clean is essential to make sure you leave your home ready for winter.

• Pull all furniture out and vacuum behind them.
• Vacuum all carpets and vinyl to get rid of any traces of food and mop with an antibacterial floor cleaner.
• Clean all surfaces with an anti-bacterial surface cleaner. If you have any treated surfaces, such as solid wood, treat them with a specialist cleaner.
• Remove all food from the fridge and items from cupboards that may go out of date before you return. If you can, defrost the freezer and leave the door ajar before leaving to allow it to air.
• Clean the bathroom from top to bottom and use a mould cleaner around all seals to clear and prevent mould from appearing. Remove all towels and bath mats.

Furnishings

• We would recommend storing your soft furnishings elsewhere, including curtains. If you’re keeping them in the home, place cushions and mattresses separately on their end or edge to allow air to flow freely around them.

Exterior

• Clear any guttering and downpipes.
• Wash and polish your exterior paint work – you can use a specialist cleaner but we like a simple warm soapy water mix.
• Check all external seams are intact.
• Check that the chassis is intact and all anchor points are secure.
• If you have any loose items outside, store them away to avoid them moving in windy conditions.
• Speak to your park if you think any trees or plants may cause problems while you’re away.

Other things to consider

• Make sure all air vents are clear and leave internal doors (cupboards, wardrobes) open to allow air to circulate freely.
• Try to remove warm air from the home that could lead to moisture to build up – before you leave, open all doors and windows for 15 minutes.
• Place some damp collectors or even bowls of salt around the home to avoid damp.
• Switch off and unplug all electrical appliances including the TV aerial.
• Close and lock all windows.
• Speak to your park to see whether they want you to turn off the gas and electric supply.

Always double check your insurance policy for specific winter requirements – we want you to be able to enjoy your Victory home for years to come and protecting it from the great British winter is one of the best ways to do it.