How to maintain your property in the winter

The House

• Keep your home healthy by ensuring it is well ventilated; open windows daily to keep fresh air circulating and to release stale air. A well ventilated home will reduce condensation, which causes mildew. Installing a heating unit will also help to minimise condensation and any related problems.
• If your home is prone to condensation, open cabinet doors (under the sink et cetera) overnight to allow warm air to circulate.
• Check that your hot water cylinder has a cylinder wrap. If not, cover your cylinder with an old blanket to retain heat. Wrap pipes with heat tape or similar to insulate.
• On a windy day, check your home for air leaks, particularly around windows and doors. Use a lighter, match or a stick of incense to locate a breeze. As a temporary measure leaks can be caulked, however, long-term window framing may need to be replaced.
• If cold air leaches in under your front or back door, add a new door sweep.
• Monitor your guttering and downspouts for any sign of damage, particularly after a storm. Remember to also keep an eye on roofing and gutters on garden sheds, freestanding garages et cetera.
• Keep a check on drains, ensuring they do not block, as water must always flow freely away from your home.
• While winter is typically not the best season for painting your home, it’s wonderful to add a splash of colour at this time of year. It’s usually easy to book in a professional painter as their work slows down in winter. Alternatively, you could paint a couple of rooms yourself. However, adequate ventilation is imperative, so choose rooms that you can easily close off.
• Retouch and spot paint walls an interior doors where required with previously-used leftover paint.
• Consider replacing any broken or outdated light shades – it’s a relatively inexpensive alteration, which can instantly modernise your home.
• Repair leaking outdoor taps.

Garden

• Stake all plants (if you haven’t already done so) in high wind zones.
• Make repairs to supporting structures used for runner beans, peas, tomatoes et cetera, in readiness for spring.
• Remove any tree branches broken in winter storms and ensure plants, which come in contact with your home, are kept in check.
• Bring your lawn mower undercover for servicing. An older mower will benefit from a rust treatment, adding years to its life.
• Start planning your spring and summer garden and research the types of seeds and plants you may want to get.

General lifestyle

• Refresh window wiper blades on your car and replenish washer fluid. Ensure that only washer fluid is used as it doesn’t freeze.
• Avoid accidents on slippery pathways by replacing bulbs in exterior lights as soon as they expire.
• Replenish your home emergency kit as required.
• Cover outdoor furniture or store it in a garage or shed. Consider installing an outdoor heater so you can sit outside and make the most of early spring evenings.

You might be interested in reading: How to prevent a damp, cold and mouldy home.

This article featured on page 116 in Issue 015 of Renovate Magazine. Renovate Magazine is an easy to use resource providing fresh inspiration and motivation at every turn of the page.

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*All information is believed to be true at time of publishing and is subject to change.