Get your home ready for winter with our handy maintenance checklist.
Protect Garden Furniture
The harsher winter weather can wreak havoc on your garden furniture if it is not properly protected. Make sure to cover up patio furniture when not in use to protect from the elements. Use a fully waterproof cover and secure it properly with weights or ties to ensure it dosen’t get blown away. If you don’t plan on using your garden furniture throughout the colder months, it is better to do this sooner rather than later, you’ll thank yourself as the weather gets warmer. Soft furnishings such as garden cushions and outdoor rugs should be stored away in a shed or blanket box to prevent mould and mildew growth.
As for decorative and wooden furniture like garden benches and bird baths, its wise to inspect paintwork and apply a coat of sealant if required. This will help prevent the wood from cracking and splitting under the cold winter weather and stop paintwork from peeling. Make sure any water features including bird baths are fully emptied to prevent frost damage.
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Treat Decking and Patios for Algae
Algae can become hazardous when wet or frozen over, which is why it’s important to treat it before colder weather sets in. Treat your Patio or garden deck before it’s too late. It’s also a good idea to seal your deck before winter to help reduce the chance of rot, mould and paint peeling.
Clean Guttering
Gutters can collect a build up of loose leaves and debris throughout the year, especially throughout autumn. This debris build up can make it harder for water to properly runoff and run down the downpipe. In winter, this collected water can freeze and cause gutters to expand and crack. It can also cause blockages which in turn will cause gutters to overflow opening your home up to a whole host of other water and damp related problems. To prevent this, make sure to clear out gutters at the end of the autumn season.
Inspect Dryer Vents
Tumble driers can be hazardous if not properly maintained. The synthetic and natural fibres that collect from clothing are very flammable and when collected in your dryers vent over time can cause a serious fire hazard. Inspect your dryers hose for blockages or call in the help of a professional to do this for you.
Replace Broken Bulbs
As dark nights draw in, you may notice you rely on outdoor lighting a lot more than you did during the warmer months. Replace broken lights now and save yourself the headache of working outdoors in harsh weather conditions.
Protect Vulnerable Plants
If you have any plants that don’t do well in colder weather, now is the time to move them indoors. If you find you have certain plants that have not survived previous winters, take appropriate measures to protect them now. Sometimes simply covering your flower beds with a sheet will do. Some plants such as shrubs may benefit from a fleece wrap whereas others will simply need to be moved indoors to a greenhouse, outhouse or shed.
Check Door and Window Seals
One thing that can really save you a lot of time, money and stress during winter is to check your door and window seals before the cold sets in. Improperly sealed windows and doors can cause a whole host of problems including damp, mould and an increase in heating bills.
