Preparing for winter III

Alison_Funnell

smeeth wrote: »

Bit of a late reply I know, but at one of our old homes, my bedroom was north facing and there was no heating in the house and single glazing. We got polystyrene boards and put them on the walls and the wallpapered over them (except one wall where we ran out of paper )

HTH

We used to live in a rather old council house (grade 2 listed, 350 years old - seriously) anyway the other 'half' of our building the tenant had had their walls lined with batoning then plasterboard with, I think, loft insulation in between, a little like american wood built houses. The concerns with that method are lost of size (small rooms may not be able to loose a few inches) and ensuring adequate ventilation to the walls - so best done in summer on a warm dry day not a humid one or damp winter one.

Eenymeeny

You can get polystyrene backed wallpaper... search warmaline or decorlite. If it's the stuff I remember from the 70s though it used to perforate easily leaving holes all over

Eliza_2

Yes I remember it well, we used to love picking bits out of it. I had wondered about looking for it again, but it damages too easily.

I think you can get grants for internal insulation as in Alison's post. However my rooms are already small with low ceilings but still, worth thinking about. Thanks

loopyalice

live in one of the coldest houses on the face of the planet. A metal framed prefab that was thrown up just after the war. Its huge inside. (not complaining)!. But as the walls are breeze block thick , can't install cavity wall insulation. Can't afford it anyway, as I earned £350 last month! Not eligible for any benefits or grants as over the limit for job seekers and don't work enough hours for tax credits. I'd sell it, (House was left to me). But thing is falling down. Please has anyone any ideas. I know that some houses on nearby estates have been done up by by local council by walltransform...?:mad:

Sorry to ramble on.

Thanks for listening.

Alice

anguk

I've heard of a product called Sempatap which is a diy thermal lining for interior walls that goes on like wallpaper and you can paper or paint over it. You just put it on the outside walls in the room, I'm not sure how good it is though?
http://www.mgcltd.co.uk/sempatap-thermal

If you live in certain areas you may be able to get a grant:
http://www.mgcltd.co.uk/wall-insulation-grants

Rainy-Days

loopyalice wrote: »

live in one of the coldest houses on the face of the planet. A metal framed prefab that was thrown up just after the war. Its huge inside. (not complaining)!. But as the walls are breeze block thick , can't install cavity wall insulation. Can't afford it anyway, as I earned £350 last month! Not eligible for any benefits or grants as over the limit for job seekers and don't work enough hours for tax credits. I'd sell it, (House was left to me). But thing is falling down. Please has anyone any ideas. I know that some houses on nearby estates have been done up by by local council by walltransform...?:mad:

Sorry to ramble on.

Thanks for listening.

Alice

Hi Alice there are still some government grants available such as loft insulation and cavity wall as one of our newer neighbours had theirs done through the government scheme last month and they didn't pay a penny - they also both work!! HTH

Glad to have the sun out for a while it makes me feel loads better. With regard to the next winter list actually starting one now while we are still in the midsts of winter is actually a good idea as when spring and summer loom into view you can pace yourself and get materials and preparations under way, which is what I did last year.

This year our list will not be as big - at least I flipping well hope not! I am just making the most of this nice weather to do some extra washing of throws and things while I can get them dry!

Forgot to mention one of the neighbours in the vllage went away on holiday last month while it was the worst week at minus 12 degrees and guess what - they left no heating on. Came home to a burst pipe! If the insurance company doesn't pay out then it wouldn't surprise me as technically they are negligent in failing to leave adequate heat on. Who goes on holiday in January and leaves not a bar of heat on I ask you?

Rainy-Days

Things that have worked this winter for us are:-

Fully stocked freezer
Well stocked store cupboard
The extreme screen wash on the cars worked a treat
Salt in dishes in the conservatory did a good job with the condensation!
Greenhouse heater in the conservatory saved it from being an ice box and the radiator going into overdrive!
The washing of all coats and scarves throughout the summer months was a boon.
Waterproofing the suede boots and gloves
Oiling the gate and shed locks. Especially the shed lock as it opened easily this week.
Putting cheap gardeners fleece round the cordylines and storing them in the shed - they have so far been saved :T
The flannelette sheets have been amazing, really recommended.
Regular boiler service gives us peace of mind
The snow shovel got used twice - but hey it worked
The Autumn clean of the house means less to do this spring
All the pruning back of the shrubs in the garden seems to have done the job they all have good shoots on them now.
The loo roll mountain came in useful when I had the noruvirus in December
Protection on the shed and fences was well worth it along with the painting of the gates, which still look really good.
Buying in the wood and coal during July saved us a third and also meant that we have a good tidy store of it.
Bulk buying the animal feed has saved us from extra trips.
Primark fleecy socks and tights worked really well and kept me warm.
The timer switches on the lamp in the hall saved me from walking into a dark house after work. I do this every winter but I still say the same, it makes a huge difference having a light on when you get in from work!

We had two weeks of horrible cold weather, but prior to that we had the storms so although not as bad as the previous two winters I think the prepartion was really worth it. I need to get another and updated version of the Preparing For Winter List done for you all as well.

Biggest thing we have to get done this year will be the water pipes and tap with the horses. We did insulate them last year but clearly not enough as they froze for three days solid, which meant doing five gallon containers at the kitchen sink then wheel barrowing them up to the stables. That was a real pain. Don't know how we are going to do this, but it could mean burying the pipe even further into the ground, insulating that and then dealing with the tap in some better way. We have time to give that consideration though.

muffin_man_7

Rainy-Days sounds like you need a heat trace cable or tape for the stable
http://www.heat-trace.com/Products hth

i like your idea of making a new winter list now while all those little jobs are fresh in your mind will look forward to seeing your new updated list
i've got loads of lists just not got the get up and go to get the things done

abwsco

I didn't know whether to post on here or start a new thread on the "I wanna buy-it" board.

Thinking ahead to buying an electric underblanket if I see one on offer. Never having had one before can anyone recommend one in particular. Which one kept you snuggly TIA:)

Also, do we just add to this thread for things that worked this year. Wasn't sure if a new thread would be started:o:o

pollys

My craghoppers lined trousers are just brilliant. I have worn them such a lot. Football, rugby and a school trip to the woods. They really are toasty. Thank you to the OP for the heads-up on these.

Pollys