This is a guide to winter home maintenance. The colder months are drawing in faster than ever. All year round, homeowners invariably build a longer and longer list of home maintenance tasks that need to be done. It’s certainly easy to put them off, especially when the weather is warm enough to relax in the garden and work on your tan.
The good news is that now is the perfect time to get your home ready for the winter. It’s also a good way to ensure that you’re not hit by the unexpected when you least need it.
From overflowing drainage to burst pipes, home disasters can be a massive hassle. If you’d like to spend more time huddled under the blankets this winter, then this winter home maintenance guide is for you.
A Guide To Winter Home Maintenance
Draft-Proofing
Your first step is to check all your doors and windows. You’re not just looking for obvious cracks and breaks. Make sure that you check every opening in your home for any escaping air. Repair those that you find. Don’t forget your interior doors either.
Sometimes, you may need to go one further and replace doors or windows that are old, damaged, or no longer fit for purpose.
This may not be as expensive as you think and will make you save over time as you reduce the amount of heat you use. Try taking a look at Provia replacement doors, for example.
Even if you live in an older property, you’ll be able to find a style, color, and finish to suit your home. This is a big step towards making sure your home is prepped, warm, and cozy for the winter weather, and if you’re looking to sell, it can also make your home more saleable.
Use draft excluders at the base of the doors that you will be spending the most time in over the winter (but especially the bedroom).
It’s also a good idea to invest in a draft-proof letterbox for maximum efficiency. Not only will all of this result in a warmer home, but it will also help to cut down your energy bills too.
Heating Checks
Your air-con might not get a lot of action over the winter, but your overall heating system needs to be checked now before it’s too late.
What you need to do will depend on how you heat and cool your home. If you have a boiler, then triple-check that it is working as efficiently as possible before the colder months hit hard.
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You should always give your boiler serviced at least once a year, and just before the temperature starts to really drop is the single best time.
Your air-con unit should also get some care and attention at this time of year as well, but you should leave this to a professional. Search online for “air conditioner repair near me“ and be ready to ask some questions about your unit.
Head in the Gutter
One of the big tasks to do now is to check all your gutters. This can take time, and safety should be your primary concern. You’re going to want to get right up to eye level with your guttering so that you can check for leaf build-up (clear those leaves immediately).
Simply clearing your gutters means that you massively reduce the risks of blockages caused by heavy rains, as well as prevent internal dampness from forming. You should keep your eyes open for cracked or damaged sections of your guttering. If you spot any guttering that is beyond repair, make sure that it is replaced before the first blast of snow.
Home Security
Winter is one of the best times of the year for burglars. The darkness arrives earlier, and there are certainly fewer people on the streets.
If you want your home to be safer over the winter months, now is the time to double-check all your security measures. Check that all exterior doors have strong, working locks and that all your deadbolts are easy to slide.
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For those homeowners with a burglar alarm installed, now is the best time of the year to get your annual service. You might also consider looking at smart security for homes, as these can make it much easier to control your home defenses even when you’re not all safe and warm inside.
Yard & Garden Work
Your yard might not get a lot of attention during winter, but that doesn’t mean that it’s wise to ignore it. If you’re already looking forward to next summer, then you need to put a little work in now.
Trim your hedges and cut back your overhanging trees. You should pay attention to any weak or dead branches as these can be torn off in cold, windy weather and could damage your home.
Don’t forget to look at your pathways as well. Remove any weeds or moss that have built up, as they can become very slippery when the snow, ice, and rain get to work.
If you still need to walk through your garden over the winter, then it might be worth investing in some de-icing salt. Don’t forget to dig out your snow shovel from storage!
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For many people, winter is simply the best season. Snowfall, crisp winter mornings, an open fireplace, and a hot chocolate on a cold evening all sound very appealing.
It’s not quite so appealing when you’re struggling up a ladder to fix broken guttering when it’s freezing outside. Do your Winter Home Maintenance now, and you could be spending winter wrapped up and cozy instead of cold and frustrated.
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