Winter is nesting time and it can be easy to forget about looking after your home when all you want to do is rug up with a blanket and a good book or your favourite tv show. Here are some of the most commonly overlooked home maintenance tasks you can tackle before settling in for a relaxing weekend.
Filters
Heaters and reverse-cycle air conditioners see a lot of action during winter, so it’s important to make sure you clean the filters. Otherwise, think of all the dust being blown around your home. Some gas companies recommend cleaning the filters at least once a week during winter to preserve the lifespan of your heater and prevent overheating.
Refer to the manual or Google your appliance to see where the filter is located. Remove and scrape the dust off before scrubbing the mesh under warm water. Make sure it’s completely dry before replacing and dust the external surfaces of the heater with a clean cloth.
Weatherproof doors and windows
Despite running the heater and rugging up with a blanket, does your house still get cold? This is probably due to cracks in window and door frames which let the heat escape and the cold creep in.
Use caulk where your windows meet the window frames and along any glass panels in sliding glass doors. While you’re at it, you’ll want to look check to see if the weatherstripping on the side of your door where it meets the wall is intact.
Gutters
Even if you’ve bought a brand-new home and you’ve only been living in it for a couple of months, you should regularly check on your gutters. Autumn leaves and winter storms create the perfect combination for potential blockages, which can cause rust and attract insects and rodents.
Pull on your gardening gloves, grab an empty bucket and a stiff-backed brush and use a ladder to reach your gutters. Clear debris into the bucket and give the bottom of your gutter a good sweep with the brush — easy!
Declutter the backyard
You’ve undoubtedly prepared your backyard for winter already by storing away all your gardening equipment. But don’t forget to check in on it from time to time. Weeds can sprout and run errant, leaving you with a bigger job come spring. Debris can also get scattered around — especially after storms — and if left to rot on the pavement, you’ll have stains that are hard to get rid of.
The perfect time to weed your garden is just after it has rained, as pesky plants are easier to pull out with the root — so they won't grow back. Get a broom and sweep all dead leaves and plants into a heap before placing in the green household waste bin. Hose your pavement down afterwards for extra measure.
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