How to make your home winter-proof
Rain, snow, ice, wind – whatever winter throws at you this year, make sure your home is ready to handle it.
Just like that, summer is coming to a close. Believe it or not, it’s that time of year when we all start exclaiming at the dark nights drawing in, and fighting internal battles over whether or not it’s cold enough to justify turning on the heating.
But, while it might be tempting to start your winter hibernation early, now’s the perfect time to get ahead with DIY for next year and take care of any essential home improvements.
After all, just as we get dressed to fight the elements during winter, your home needs to be suited and booted to handle the tough conditions, too.
Here are a few ideas on how to improve your home exterior while also helping to winter-proof your property, before the cold and wet weather really kicks in.
Keep your home dry
The last thing you want to notice after a bout of torrential rain is that you’ve got a leak somewhere! It can be easy to neglect the roof. Perhaps this is the year that you have it checked for leaks or, in worst case scenarios on older buildings, even have it replaced? While you’re at, remember to check and clear your guttering.
Stay warm and cosy
The last thing you want in the middle of a snow storm, or a dark and rainy day, is for your boiler to break. Check you have repair cover and, if it’s due, any maintenance. You can also go further when it comes to keeping your home warm all year round and invest in energyefficient double glazing.
Don’t forget outbuildings
You might not view your garage as a living space as such, but if you use it to store valuable goods (like garden furniture, sports equipment and even your car) then it’s definitely not a space to forget about. Why not get ahead of a spring clean next year and give it a good tidy? Or update your garage doors and windows to ensure they’re secure and watertight.
Get ahead with home improvements
Before the bad weather really kicks in, maybe it’s the perfect time to organise any home improvements that you’ve been considering. That could be bigger changes, like an extension or conservatory (it’s a great way to bring more light into your home, something that’s always in short supply during the winter months), or updating internals doors, repainting, or investing in new flooring.
Check outdoor lighting
Soon enough, we’ll be leaving the house in the dark in the mornings and returning home in the early evenings, also in the dark! We’ll be relying on outdoor lights more than ever, so check yours are in full working order, replacing any broken bulbs and investing in new lights if yours don’t currently cover enough of your garden and outdoors space.
It might be tempting to start your winter hibernation early, but now’s the perfect time to get ahead with DIY
Tidy up paths and driveways
Come winter, ice and snow can make driveways and pathways slippy and dangerous. Plan ahead and buy salt or sand you can use if the ice and snow is bad. And just now, check that paths are clear and look out for any cracks or loose stones – these could be made worse by winter weather. Perhaps now’s the time to redo your driveway and paths if they’re in a particularly bad state.