10 tips to help prepare your French home for winter

I know it is only the beginning of September and in my experience September is always milder than August in France, especially north of the Loire as August can often bring storms and showers, September is calmer and seeing the autumn creep into the trees is always somewhat comforting knowing that winter is around the corner and long nights by the fire are beckoning!

Preparing your French House for winter.

You've hopefully been making the most of the good weather during the summer and visiting your French property, generally taking it easy where DIY and general odd-jobs are concerned but we thought a few tips on setting your property up for the winter months would be timely.

As the winter draws ever closer, there are a few quick jobs you can do around your home and garden to prepare them for the colder months.

Cle France top ten tips:

1. If you are not at the property during the winter, use your neighbour or friends or even a professional key holder to visit the property on a regular basis to make sure everything is in order.

2. Check dripping taps - fix them to prevent your pipes from freezing or your house from flooding.

3. Bleed radiators - bleeding your radiators releases trapped air which allows the water to fill every part of the radiator.

4. Test smoke alarms - change the battery every year, or when needed after testing each month, and make sure no dust has accumulated in the alarm.

5. Insulation - help keep your house warm by having good loft and wall insulation, if you are in the process of doing this make sure you prioritise for example, lag the water tank and insulate the outside taps etc.

6. Draught excluders - prevent heat from escaping through windows and doors by sealing any gaps with adhesive tape and use draught excluders at doors and windows.

7. Clear your guttering - make sure you get rid of any fallen leaves that could block and weigh down your guttering and pipes and stop the rain water from escaping.

8. Add anti-freeze to you toilet bowl and cistern to prevent it from cracking if the water freezes.

9. Clean your gardening equipment - you won't be using your gardening tools or lawnmower for a few months. Make sure they are clean, dry and stored away securely to prevent rust or theft.

10. Check your boiler - we all strive to turn the heating on as late in the year as possible, but the last thing you want is to turn it on in the winter and find your boiler is not working, test it before you need it.

AND FINALLY....

Make sure your home is properly protected and insured, when looking for a quotation from a French insurance company, in English, that is suited to your specific insurance and investment needs? or just looking for advice / information about the insurance system in France? then...

Franck and his English speaking insurance team are proud to be of service to you.

Special Offer: Quote "Cle France" to get a 10% reduction on your Home insurance policy.

Cle France in partnership with Franck commit ourselves to providing you with excellent service you can rely on.

Franck and his team's main purpose is to establish a friendly, professional rapport with you and help you to decide what sort of insurance you need.

They can also review your current cover to ensure it still meets your needs and those of your family.

Car, House (Building and Contents Insurance), Medical Top-Up (Affordable Top Up insurance for you and your family). Allianz offer the security of a strong French business with the convenience of an English speaking insurance team, so your quotations can be provided in English.