Preparing Your Home's Exterior for Winter

Winter is hard on external walls. Driving rain, frost and freeze-thaw cycles find any weakness in a render, so late summer and autumn are the ideal time to get things checked and sorted before the weather turns.

Start by looking for cracks. Even fine cracks let water into the render and the wall behind it, and when that water freezes and expands it can blow the render off. Catching and repairing cracks early is far cheaper than a bigger repair later.

Check for hollow or 'drummy' areas by gently tapping the render — a hollow sound can mean it has come away from the wall. Also look at the base of walls, around windows and under sills, where water tends to collect.

If you're planning to render this year, bear in mind we avoid rendering in frost or heavy rain, so it's worth booking a free quote early to get into a good weather window. A modern silicone render is water-repellent and self-cleaning, which helps your walls cope with whatever winter throws at them.