While we would all like autumn to hang on a little longer, winter is already in the air. Before it gets here, there are things you need to do to ensure your static caravan is prepared for the elements. The last thing you want is to come back in the spring to wild animals, rodents, and busted pipes.

Taking these few winterisation steps before closing up for the season will prevent costly repairs and nasty surprises.

Draining Down
The pipelines on a static caravan are largely exposed and vulnerable to freezing temperatures. The best thing you can do it drain all water from the pipes before closing up for the winter. Flush all fresh water and toilet systems and drain them completely. Then drain them according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Because any water left in the pipes through the winter season can freeze in the pipes causing them to burst. If your manufacturer recommends clearing out the u-bends, considering having this type of work completed by trained professionals or the maintenance staff at your site.

Emptying Out
Before leaving the caravan for the winter, empty all valuable items of course, and gather all personal items. Bed linens, curtains, cushions, duvets, and even small rugs should be removed to promote airflow and prevent mould and mildew from forming. Heavier items like mattresses and seat cushions can be stood on their sides to promote air circulation.

Consider removing all electrical items to prevent any dampness seeping into the wiring.

Opening Up
All interior doors and cupboards should be opened and cleared of belongings. If you decide not to take the curtains, consider leaving them open to help thwart potential break-ins. Contrary to popular belief, your static is less likely to be broken into if potential thieves can see that there is nothing to steal, and if they can be easily seen.

Outside
A thorough check of the exterior of the caravan should also be conducted before leaving for the winter. Your check should include any fittings or fixtures to ensure they will hold up against the cold weather. Any cracks or gaps should be filled to prevent pests from getting in. If the caravan has skylights, ensure they have no cracks and repair any leaks. Check under the caravan also; make sure there is no grass or debris that will be attractive to wildlife.

Goldcrest offer a service to ensure you caravan or mobile home is winter proof, our drain down service is simple to arrange, call us to discuss how we can help you

“You know where the key is, just let yourself in”... just a normal day for us at GoldCrest, the trust we build with our clients means peace of mind and we all know how important that is. 

Whether it’s your home, your business or you holiday rental. You want to know that not only is the work we do always of high standard but that you can trust us. 

It’s a big decision to let an unknown tradesman into your home. And it’s one that we take very seriously. 

Our clients have come to rely on us, whether they are at their premises when we call or whether they aren’t. 
To us the job is the same, we come, we assess and we repair or install. 
More importantly we respect your space, we come in clean clothing, we come with all our own equipment and tools, and we clean before we leave. 

These high standards and trust are what make us the number one provider of heating, maintenance, building and repairs throughout the North of England. 

Whilst we are proud to be large enough to serve and small enough to provide those personal touches that all our clients appreciate.

Getting a good gas fitter (Gas Safe Register)
In the right hands gas is perfectly safe, but in the hands of an illegal it can kill. It is important to ensure your gas fitter is above board and fully qualified - read the article below for some essential hints and tips.

Jeff Learman, a Director at Gas Safe Register explains how the register aims to improve gas safety in Great Britain.

Research from Gas Safe Register reveals that unqualified gas fitters do a quarter of a million illegal gas jobs each year. These illegal rogue traders are carrying out this work without the skills or the qualifications to work safely on gas.

Interesting Statistics:

The British public is wasting £100million a year to rectify illegal gas jobs that put their homes and families in immediate danger.

These illegal gas jobs cost an extra 25% on average to rectify and they are often carried out by tradesmen who are recommended by friends or family, but are not qualified to work safely with gas.

One in five of the homes investigated by Gas Safe Register were found to be ‘Immediately Dangerous’ and the appliances had to be disconnected straight away to make them safe. In all cases the work had been done by an illegal gas fitter.

Further research from Gas Safe Register found that one in three people would trust a tradesman to do their gas work purely on recommendation from a friend or family member. Five times as many people would take a recommendation on trust, rather than actively check whether they were registered to work safely and legally on gas. Most people chose a fitter that they liked, who had been recommended and who offered a good price.

Paul Johnston, chief executive of Gas Safe Register explains the dangers: “All too often our investigations team find illegal gas fitters preying on the public, using charm tactics. Many use the Gas Safe logo on their van, adverts or paperwork when they are not registered. If you have a boiler, cooker or fire fitted by a gas engineer who isn’t registered to do the work, then you may end up paying to have it ripped out and start again which may cost you thousands of pounds, or worse, cost you your life. With a quarter of a million gas jobs carried out every year by illegal gas fitters who don’t have the skills or the qualifications to work safely on gas, it is vital that people always check that the engineer they use is on the Gas Safe Register or they could be putting their lives and pocket at risk.”

How do you spot an unqualified gas fitter?

Gas Safe Register has developed an accurate profile of those most likely to be involved in illegal gas work.

More than half (57%) are sole traders and a third (33%) work in companies employing fewer than four people.

As well as carrying out gas work, many also undertake plumbing jobs (90%), bathroom fitting (81%), kitchen fitting (67%), general building (43%) and electrical work(43%).

Gas Safe Register believes a higher percentage of illegal gas fitters advertise their services online and in local papers as few if any checks for registration are carried out. In contrast, directories such as Yellow Pages and Thompson Local check for registration, so few illegal gas workers advertise their services as for example, ‘gas fitters.’

How to avoid unqualified gas fitters:

Always use a gas engineer who is on the Gas Safe Register to fit, fix and service your gas boiler, gas fire and gas cooker.

Never trust a gas fitter on first impressions or recommendations alone, no matter how helpful and polite they seem – always ask for the Gas Safe Register ID card. It’s the only way you can guarantee that your engineer is legally allowed to work on your gas boiler, gas fire and gas cooker.

Check on the back of the Gas Safe Register ID that the engineer is registered to carry out the work he intends to do in your home. If they’re registered to fit gas boilers, it doesn’t mean they are automatically qualified to put in a gas fire.

Check a gas engineer is registered by visiting www.gassaferegister.co.ukor call the free helpline 0800 408 5500

After the gas work is done, nominate your home for a free gas safety check.

If you suspect an illegal gas fitter report them to Gas Safe Register anonymously.