Preparing for winter IV

[D&DD]

Originally Posted by tori.k

Can i please pick your brains for the cheapest place for thick curtains ( chenille or velvet) I need a 90" x 90" drop so unlikely to find a pair second hand and the thermal linings i have on the patio doors really are not thick enough. im looking at 200+ to have them made and was hoping to be able to source some ready made for half that if I can, many thanks.

Tori keep an eye on Argos and tesco/asda direct they often have really good deals on these sizes.

[MoonJelly]

I got a couple of metres of fleece and lined the curtains in my boy's bedroom, which was good because the windows are a bit drafty. I also got him a larger bath robe because he outgrew his old one. Got him a lined 100% wool hat which covers his ears as well. I also accidentally shrunk a wooly jumper so it won't fit me but it will fit my boy. As it is a turtle neck jumper is really unisex, so...

Now I need to get boots for me.

[MrsCD]

Originally Posted by Raksha

be careful when scraping snow off your car roof - OH did mine last year WITH A SNOW SHOVEL!! This has scratched the laquer which is now peeling. I could have killed him!

Oh No! I'm not surprised you were mad I have a soft nylon broom to brush the snow off the top of the car, and DH has his super duper long handled scraper/ brush!

Originally Posted by smithkinson

I have convinced my husband to let me put a curtain up on the front door. I think I can find a curtain cheap enough, but I was wondering how people have fixed theirs up? The door is recessed, so I'd be able to use a tension pole (like a shower curtain pole I was thinking) but I don't know if this is a good idea or not. What happens if someone opens the door while the curtain is drawn? Does it get pulled down or manage to slide open? Thanks.

I have a curtain up at our front door, which is also recessed. I have mine on a long wooden curtain pole across the top of the doorway on the wall in the hall, not in the recess IYSWIM. When we open the door, the curtain gets pushed back along the pole, and I've put the last hook on the curtain so it won't pull along - it's at the bit that sticks out where the finial is on the end. Hope that makes sense!
We have a light dusting of snow tonight. Yuk! Better than the ice we've had all day though.

[Confuzzled]

we got snow, again! but it's a good thing i looked when i did because it's stopped already BUT it was there it really was

actually it was snowing lightly last night too just as we were setting up our christmas tree, rather nice having it like that at just the right moment.

i hope everyone is staying nice and toasty warm, and in case i get too busy to say it later, happy holidays everyone

[slm6002]

It s nowed here - well look like a good frost buy was snow. Hubby who is a lorry driver said that a few miles down the road there was loads. would have been nice to see. never mind i am sure there will be some along before too long

[boultdj]

Just in case anyone want's any, Lidl has got snow chain's in,3 size's at £20 a set,hth.

[sexki11en]

Well we thought we were all set with our winter prep until the bedroom curtain rail fell off the wall 3 weeks ago, taking half the plaster with it

Phoned the estate agent who spoke to the LL. They've insisted on a damp specialist having a look. It's not rising damp thankfully, just lack of ventilation in the property (not by us - we have windows open 24/7) so now they're sending someone to quote for trickle vents at the windows but won't repair the curtain pole until thats all sorted.

I'm not overly happy at this as the bedroom is the coldest room in the house. We have rad foil behind the radiators and lucky enough, a blackout blind at the window but we're really missing the floor length, thick curtains.

SK x

[mineallmine]

Oh no SK. Is there anyway you could attach a fleece blanket to that window somehow? I'd revert to use duck tape on the walls (especially if they are due to be replastered.

[elisamoose]

Primark have a cream fleece ribbed throw for 2.70. Nice quality about 150cm x120cm.I folded in half and then stitched a channel for a extendable pole.double thickness curtain for the 19th century listed window in my downstairs loo.will use at night (and daytime when oh is away and won't moan about it!)
If it works will get another one for another single glazed old window!

[bossymoo]

I did something similar in my downstairs loo, but instead of stitching, I used safety pins and pinned a length of ribbon a couple of inches from each end. During the day I roll it up to the tension rod and tie the ribbon, a makeshift blind

[Quasar]

Just found that some of my floorboards have gaps in them letting cold draught in. Any idea how I can seal them properly and cheaply?

[bubbs]

Originally Posted by mineallmine

You can usually pick up those plastic sheets (normally silver) at places like Wilkinson. You could use an old towel or sheet as long as it fits across the windowscreen and can be shut into/tucked into each door to secure.

Word of warning here this is what i did sun eve as was icey all day although car was clear as i went out.
So covered it up tucked it in the door, overnight it hammered it down the sheet soaked all the rain up and the bits that were tucked in the car door dripped all over my seat it was soaked wont be doing it again its only just dried out been sitting on bin liner and towel!

[Fruball]

Originally Posted by Quasar

Just found that some of my floorboards have gaps in them letting cold draught in. Any idea how I can seal them properly and cheaply?

Rolled up damp newspaper shoved between the gaps - push it in with a knife or something...

For a longer term fix, mix up papier mache with brown ink/dye to roughly match the colour of the boards?

[abwsco]

Originally Posted by Quasar

Just found that some of my floorboards have gaps in them letting cold draught in. Any idea how I can seal them properly and cheaply?

Sawdust, dampen it down and then add PVA glue. It will resemble tuna Squsih it down into the gaps.

[mineallmine]

Originally Posted by bubbs

Word of warning here this is what i did sun eve as was icey all day although car was clear as i went out.
So covered it up tucked it in the door, overnight it hammered it down the sheet soaked all the rain up and the bits that were tucked in the car door dripped all over my seat it was soaked wont be doing it again its only just dried out been sitting on bin liner and towel!

Oh no! Maybe just use something that can be tucked behind the windscreen wipers and not tucked into the car doors. I use a silver windscreen cover which is very thin. I think came from the £1 shop. So sorry to hear this didn't work out

Heavy snow and ice here today. Good practice run for winter prep. I need to find a soft brush broom to help clear the top of the car of snow.


Keep warm everyone

[elisamoose]

Originally Posted by bossymoo

I did something similar in my downstairs loo, but instead of stitching, I used safety pins and pinned a length of ribbon a couple of inches from each end. During the day I roll it up to the tension rod and tie the ribbon, a makeshift blind

Thanks for that idea!

[abwsco]

Youngest DD put her sensible head on and asked for the Lakeland heated airer for Christmas. They've got it early from us and are very pleased with it so far

[sexki11en]

From what I'm seeing on Netweather this week, most of the UK are looking at minus temps during the day from the middle of next week for a prolonged period with a likely possibility of widespread snow

I hope everyones ready?

Apart from the bedroom curtain fiasco, we've been ready for a while. I read this thread religiously, although I only posted once or twice. Notably in 2010 when we arrived home boxing day from visiting family and the condensing pipe to the boiler had frozen and our house was a balmy 8 degrees! Then the pipes burst lol. We laugh now....

So, we've curtains up at the front and back door, radiator foil on all external wall rads and fleeces on the sofa's along with a duvet on the matress and lots of layers being worn. I will admit to being fortunate enough to be in a position where we could deliberately overpay our gas & electric bills this summer and so we're almost £200 in credit which takes a load off, knowing that we don't have to suffer the cold too badly. I have the gas fire on now as the living room dropped to 15 degrees and I'm working from home so can't move about.

No need to stock up on anything really as we're pretty organised like that and only live a couple of hundred yards from the main road which has Morrisons, Lidle and lots of corner shops so we won't struggle if it does snow.

SK x

[karren]

in a newspaper this week they were raving on about thermal pyjamas from asda for £5 theres none in our local, anyone bought any, and whats verdict?
thanks

[boddy]

I'm in the North East and there was none in the local Asda today. She did say they were getting them.