Homeowners in Scotland have been urged to consider winter-proofing their homes or face huge repair bills in the coming months.

Property maintenance company One Call Home Assist has warned people across the country to take extra care of their properties during the ongoing winter snap if they want to avoid paying for expensive repairs.

The firm has highlighted some easy steps for homeowners to consider during the coming months to ensure their properties are suitably protected from the ongoing winter conditions – and will be able to cope with the forthcoming thaw.

Among the top tips to consider are:

• Keep your house warm by leaving your central heating on at a constant temperature - to avoid freezing pipes and structural damage caused by the cold weather
• Check the insulation on your pipes, boilers and roofs - and install new lagging if necessary
• Have your heating system fully serviced to prevent fire or smoke damage
• Clear blockages from gutters and outside pipes – so they will not overflow or be damaged during the winter thaw
• Protect your garden taps from freezing by wrapping them with plastic sheeting
• As residential fires increase during the winter, make sure you test your fire and smoke alarms thoroughly
• Make sure you know how to shut off your water supply and that you know where your pipes are located. If your pipes freeze, the quicker you can shut off the water or direct your plumber to the problem, the better chance you have to preventing them from bursting

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"Even small things like making sure your house is warm, clearing your gutters and testing your smoke alarms can make a big difference when it comes to protecting your property – and your bank balance – in the future.

"It’s also worthwhile looking at bigger jobs such as re-insulating your attic or checking the lagging on your pipes and boilers. Getting an expert in to do the work now will be far cheaper than suffering a disaster further down the line."

One Call Home Assist is an Edinburgh-based firm. The company’s maintenance deals were set up for landlords and residential property owners in Edinburgh and the Lothians who did not want the hassle of maintaining their properties themselves.

(GK/BMcC)