How to winter-proof your car, and keep your house warm in Tonbridge this year.

Winter is just around the corner in Tonbridge and I'm afraid it's time to winter-proof your car and home!

Let's start with the car:

Use the Right Antifreeze Mix

Your engine needs to be cooled, even in the winter. So it requires water, which on frigid days can turn to ice and leave you stranded on the side of the road. That's where antifreeze comes in. The recommended balance for optimal functioning: a 50-50 combination of water and antifreeze, even in temperatures as low as 34 degrees below zero. If you'd rather not do the blending yourself, try a premixed formula. Luckily in the area we have lots of well stocked garages. Try Hildenborough Service Station,  Paddock Wood Service Station,  Three Elm Service Station.

Check the Tyres

Worn-down tyres increase the risk of winter skids. Tyre treads should have a minimum of 5/32 of an inch depth in the grooves. If you need them checking or changing, try  Mobile Tyre Services or Central Tyre Ltd, Chessington Tyres Ltd, and the very handy and centrally located Just Tyres.

Prepare for the Worst!

You could get stuck, so carry a torch, jump cables, a shovel and sand or cat litter for traction. Yes - often DIY stores run out of grit and sand, but a bag of cat litter will do the job well. A good place for supplies is Anglefix Hardware Merchants or you could try Chemfeed Ltd, , or perhaps if you are in town, head to Robert Dyas on the High Street for a great selection of torches and shovels. 

Got any more helpful tips or know a great garage? Please let me know. 

Now for the house! 

If you need help to pay for heating or to improve insulation in your home, you may be eligible for a grant under the 'Warm Front Scheme'. These grants are available in England only; other schemes operate in other parts of the UK.

This is a government-funded initiative that provides a package of home insulation and heating improvements to the value of £3,500 (or £6,000 where oil, low carbon or renewable technologies are recommended).

To qualify, householders must be aged 60 or over and be in receipt of one or more qualifying benefits.

If you do not qualify for a Warm Front Grant because you do not receive a relevant benefit, you may be eligible for a £300 rebate to help towards repairing or replacing an inoperable system or installing a new central heating system.

Call 0800 316 2805 for more information or visit the Warm Front website.

There is lots more good advice on the Directgov website about insulation and draught proofing for those of us not eligible for Warm Front. For supplies of insulation and draught proofing materials we have some well stocked local shops in Tonbridge, such as Homebase and B & Q on Cannon Lane.

Please always use a registered plumber or heating engineer if you need to call in an expert. We have plenty in the area, such as Sunshine Plumbing and Heating Ltd.  and Paul J Drury Plumbing & Heating.

 

Thanks for the image, woodleywonderworks on Flickr