Preparing for Winter V

noodles86

Good morning all,

I don't have anything to really add other than I'm a bit chilly today and maybe if there's high winds and rain in your area may be a good time to go round and see if there's any drafts or even rain getting in anywhere?

pattypan4

I am sorting my thermostats today, new house and 5 heating zones with touchscreen (complicated) thermostats. I suppose not complicated when you know what you are doing but I hate this new learning curve. I am bearing in mind that thermostats are not accurate and can be +/- several degrees, so today is a good day and heating has kicked in and s*d the expense. Underfloor heating downstairs in 4 zones, I could feel the temperature difference when I came downstairs. It can take hours to bring underfloor heating up to temperature and I don`t want to be waiting to freezing winter to work it out


Surface drains all cleaned last weekend. Has been torrential so drains are working fine. Door curtain up because I could feel the drafts in the storm

[Deleted User]

We've just lit the woodstove! so cold, grey and wet outside it feels more like November than June and we've enough wood in store to run the stove as many days as we need it until (if ever) it warms up enough not to. I think we'll get a double load delivered soon to stock up for the forthcoming winter and hope it's enough. I wondered if that balmy warm couple of weeks we had in February was our 'summer' and I'm beginning to think it may have been. Where oh where is that 'Sizzling' summer that the newspapers were predicting a few weeks ago?

silverwhistle

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

We've just lit the woodstove!

Ooh, don't say that! Mine is all cleaned out ready for the sweep but I was tempted a couple of days ago. Four annual visits so far and only one (precautionary) sweep, so I must be doing something right.


I've plenty of scrounged wood, but I think I'd feel guilty lighting in June. Next door are having a mahoosive willow down tomorrow so that will be more scrounged wood to store for 3 winters time. I'll hardly make a dent on what's there given its size and my lack of storage space, but I'll give it a try! Free wood, even willow, is good and no transport miles (about 5 yards!).


The runner beans are doing ok, my mum loves them so that's why I grow them. This thread has also reminded me I want a small bit of Celotex to cut to improve the loft hatch insulation.


The skis are ready (apart from slackened off bindings) for next season, and my football boots are dubbined, can't think of any other preparation for now. It's still a little too early for me!

[Deleted User]

Oh yes free wood is more value to us than money in the bank as it's free warmth and therefore free comfort at that time of year when you need it most. We did feel a bit guilty lighting the stove in the middle of June but it was wonderful to be warm again as we've not had the heating on for months and we were cold inside yesterday and couldn't keep our hands warm so as the fire was still laid from the last time we thought we'd need it we lit up and Oh it was BLISSFUL! today seems to be shaping up to be more of the same cold, dull wetness so we may light up again tonight and this time there will be no guilt involved anywhere just pure enjoyment!

Laura_Elsewhere

Normally, round midsummer I'd be looking over my winter boots, hats, scarves, gloves, etc., and doing any work on them prior to putting them away til autumn, but I keep on having to wear various of them...!

It should improve after the weekend, anyway.

pattypan4

I bought kiln dried in sacks and peat briquettes, kindling and firelighters so far. Homefire ovals next week. Don`t need a fire right now, underfloor heating is soothingly nice and house temperature is even. No space for drying logs and too much effort so I buy kiln dried because I can and it supports a local business

nicki_2

I had to cave yesterday and put the heating on as the thermostat was registering 14C! I've left it set to 18C so it'll only kick in if necessary and I feel much better today and able to function more normally than yesterday. Can't have it too warm though or I'll fall asleep :rotfl: I'm also drinking a lot of hot chocolate to try and keep the chill off :coffee:


I'm making plans for jobs I need to get done this summer, but everything is on hold until my DS finishes his A-level exams and we get our bathroom decorated by the landlady. Then we'll be getting our front door replaced with UPVC and our front windows fixed as well :j:j I can't wait! I'm looking forward to a more cosy house

Living_proof

I eventually caved in this morning and put the heating on having had two duvets over me in the night. The problem is that the pressure in the boiler is down to zero and the heating won't work. The plumber is allegedly coming this afternoon, but who would believe that a few degrees could make so much difference, even at this time of year? The weather station thing registers 18C when it would normally be 21C but it feels a lot colder than that. We had the woodburner on at my daughter's in Surrey on Saturday, so it's not just me feeling it.

pattypan4

LP my plumber showed me how to raise the pressure to max 1.5. He said that he gets a lot of callouts because of low pressure. Have a twiddle with the knobs under the boiler, you will hear water flowing in straight away, if you don`t then just reverse your attempt at whatever knob you twiddle. I did mine this week and suddenly the ch worked