Get ready for Winter 2010 in Dalston

As the weather turns this October, it's time for Dalston to snuggle up and get ready for the winter.

And according to forcasters, Britain is in for another big freeze this winter.

Last winter, London suffered from another few snow days and temperatures plummeted to 1.5C which was the coldest in December for 31 years. Forcasters, Positive Weather Solutions have predicted periods of disruptive snowfall and harsh weather over the next few months.

So this year, make sure you are prepared for the worst before the snowfall comes, and take some simple steps to ensure a toasty winter.

Make sure your boiler is safe

If the forcasters are correct, you are going to need your boiler working hard this winter! To make sure it is in the best condition, why not get a heating engineer to come and check it. Poorly maintained, faulty or badly installed gas work can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which can kill. Using a Gas Safe registered engineer is the most sensible step to take, as unfortunately illegal fas fitters do exist. Anyone carrying out gas work must have a Gas Safe Register ID card. Approved businesses in the Dalston area include Plumbtricians, Full Flame, and Robert Murray. You can check businesses for yourself on the Gas Safe Register website. The website also details some disturbing true stories about illegal gas fitters.  

Improve your home's insulation

According to the Energy Saving Trust, half of heat loss in a typical home is through the walls and loft, and it's worth checking whether yours are insulated. There are plenty of different types of insulation such as cavity wall insulation and solid wall insulation, loft, and floor insulation! These techniques can save you hundreds of pounds a year. To find out which is best for your home, or which would be most effective it is worth speaking to an expert. The Federation of Master Builders also has a database of construction professionals who can help - and check with the Energy Saving Trust to see if you're eligible for a grant to help meet the costs of the work.

Check your radiators

We are all going to be replying on radiators this winter by the sounds of things, so make sure they are all working before it's time to crank the temperature up. There are a number of local plumbers in Dalston such as Aqua Plumbing and Heating and Plumbers 24 Hour. As well as these, try Plumbtricians or Full Flame as mentioned in the boiler section.

Have you used a local plumber or insulation contractor who you would recommend to others? What preparations are you making for winter? Let us know below.