Preparing for winter II

wrightk

wrightk wrote: »

great thread, i wondered if anyone had any advice.
The more regular posters will know on here that we have had issues in our rented property with disrepair and cold etc.
Looks like the work repairs will be starting after xmas so now the issue is keeping warm in a property where it seems we have to phone the LA before we even move furniture!

The property is very old (200 years or so?) has single glazed original sash windows throughout over 3 stories. It is incredibly cold throughout the winter. The house thermostat was reading at about 9degrees c last winter.

The front door is not so much of a problem as we have curtains to put in front of that to block off the draft but the windows are the biggest issue.
We have tried 'secondary glazing film'and all the other diy products but with no success.
The house has got GCH but cost us £700 to heat for 3 months last winter

any help anyone?

mags50_2

hi wright

our house is similar...great high ceilings and single glazed sash windows ... but only 3 storeys (well unless you count the cellar, which I don't venture down into much!....too many spiders! what a coward I am )

We're lucky in the fact that we have shutters downstairs.... so when it starts to get cold I close them and have heavy thick curtains from floor to ceiling with thick liners. Have you thought about buying some fleeces to attach to your curtains as extra linings? There's lots about it on these threads from other people.

I also bung as many gaps in the windows with newspaper to stop the draughts....doesn't look very pretty...but who cares about looks when you're trying to keep warm?!

Upstairs is more of a problem.... as no shutters... but I still put newspaper in and keep the curtains closed....opening them (and the windows) to let a blast of fresh air in every so often. I know it's a bit of a clat to do this...but works well here.

Any unused bedrooms (our girls have all left home now)...I just keep the door closed and the radiators come on for an hour to keep them from going damp.

Put old quilts or fleeces under your bottom sheet on the beds, get hot water bottles and extra clothing on. Thats what we have to do.

It is a pain... but I feel fortunate to live in an old house and when Spring comes around (as it surely will ) .... I love to go round the house and 'de-winter' it ... so to speak.

Look through the threads on OS... lots of people have added some brilliant tips.

Hope this helps a little

katieclampet

Hi all

I have been catching up on this thread (so many posts, so little time!) Have done most of my winter prep, just need to buy a spare tin opener, (mentioned by another poster on their list) and some car deicer spray. Then I am just about done!

Thanks to all the advice and info, it makes great reading.

katiex

ps is there such a thing as a "preparing for summer thread"?

sb44

katieclampet wrote: »

ps is there such a thing as a "preparing for summer thread"?

Would be a waste of time, we never get one!

in_spired2

I'd like some opinions on the shoe/boot ice-grippers. One of the reviews I read said they only work well on thick ice/snow, and not black ice, and that if they're used on the pavement rather than on thick ice/snow, then the studs break and the rubber wears out.

Can someone who's used these things comment on that? Also, how long can they be expected to last, and do you have to take them off on public transport? Are some better than others?

thanks

bluebag

sb44 wrote: »

Would be a waste of time, we never get one!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

bluebag

I found a really good way to stock up on candles for free.... just 'mention' that you like them. I got them for christmas, birthdays, thank you gifts and every other occasion known to man.

I now have sufficient candles to light the Eiffel tower.

I would appreciate some bubble bath but I'm too scared to 'mention' it.

mags50_2

bluebag wrote: »

I found a really good way to stock up on candles for free.... just 'mention' that you like them. I got them for christmas, birthdays, thank you gifts and every other occasion known to man.

I now have sufficient candles to light the Eiffel tower.

I would appreciate some bubble bath but I'm too scared to 'mention' it.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
I have a vision of you floating along the street in a cloud of bubbles holding aloft candles!:D

[Deleted User]

in_spired2 wrote: »

I'd like some opinions on the shoe/boot ice-grippers. One of the reviews I read said they only work well on thick ice/snow, and not black ice, and that if they're used on the pavement rather than on thick ice/snow, then the studs break and the rubber wears out.

Can someone who's used these things comment on that? Also, how long can they be expected to last, and do you have to take them off on public transport? Are some better than others?

thanks

we used yaktrax last year and they did indeed enable us to get to the chemists for a neighbour. They were very reliable on the snow but I still took a stick, just in case. They were no good on tarmac or in shops. I sent dd a pair and she managed to get to work using them. They are not an all round miracle ie you have to use your common sense as to when you use them but def worth having in and I have already checked that ours are handy for winter

Primrose

wrightk - Is it possible to send copies of your fuel bills to your landlord and ask them to check whether they can apply for an insulation grant for your property? A lot of property owners are still unaware that grants for cavity wall insulation and additional loft insulation are available, and installing both of these would probably make a big difference to your heating bills.

I don't know whether you're out at work during the day, but if you are, leaving the curtains closed, especially if they have thick linings, during the day might make a small difference to your room. Also, keeping curtains closed in unoccupied rooms may help a little.