5 ways to prepare your home for winter
Preparing your home for winter weather is crucial. Though typically mild in Perth, winters can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and occasional cold snaps. From insulation to weatherproofing, Home Assist General Manager Liam Harpley shared with us his 5 tips to ensure your home is a cosy and secure living environment during the winter season.
Clean Your Gutters
Gutters are designed to direct water away from your home’s foundation. Clogged gutters, filled with leaves and other debris can lead to leaks which can create water damage to your roof and the interior of your home.
“You might not think you have any large tress around your home, but there will always be some debris that collects in your gutters and this debris can lead to your gutters not working as well as they should which leads to leaks”, says Liam.
Inspect Your Roof
Inspecting your roof can be done safely at anytime. If you have a leak it can be very dangerous to try and find what is causing it in the middle of stormy weather. This is a simple step that will help avoid an unpleasant issue.
“A strong wind or heavy rain can cause damage to your roof, leading to leaks and water damage. Addressing any potential issues beforehand can save you a lot of trouble and expense in the long run”.
Draught Proof Windows And Doors
Check your windows and doors for any air leaks and seal them to prevent cold air from entering your home. This can help keep your home warm and reduce heating costs.
“Draughts can be very unpleasant on cold nights and will unfortunately drive up your heating costs through winter”, explains Liam.
Trim Trees And Branches
Trim any overhanging branches and remove any dead trees or shrubs around your home to prevent them from falling and causing damage during strong winds.
“Try to identify the things around your homes that could be a problem in stormy weather like overhanging trees. And don’t forget to tie down the kids trampoline!”
Test Your Smoke Detectors
Testing smoke detectors before winter time is an important part of ensuring the safety of your home and family during the colder months when the risk of fire and CO exposure is higher. As temperatures drop during winter, people tend to use more heating devices, such as gas and electric heaters, electric blankets, etc, which increase the risk of house fires.
“DEFS recommend you test your smoke alarms monthly, check out the “Don’t be a fool, check your smoke alarm” campaign recommending you replace the batteries in your smoke alarms on the 1st of April every year.”
Get More Tips
Want more tips to keep your home in the best shape? Head over to Home Assist’s website to watch all their home maintenance videos.
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