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The ultimate winter survival guide for your home

An 8-step guide to winter-proofing your home. - by Laura Barry
  • 19 May 2021

Depending on what part of Australia you live in, winter can be a sub-zero season complete with rain, hail, snow, severe winds, and sometimes even flooding.

WATCH: Tara creates a cosy winter living room

This weather doesn’t just give us all a bad case of the winter blues, it can knock your house around as well. And there’s nothing worse than settling in to watch a Saturday night movie, only to see a leak sprouting from the ceiling or feel a freezing draught whipping under the door. 

While you can snuggle up underneath a heated throw, that will only prove to be a temporary fix. With that in mind, we’ve created a winter survival guide for your home that should help you be prepared for whatever the weather may throw at you this winter.

1. Do a roof check

Your roof is all that stands between you and the elements. On a bright and clear morning, when visibility is good, you need to do a thorough inspection of the condition of your roofing, such as identifying broken tiles or joins. Get someone in to repair your roof as soon as possible if necessary.

2. Clean the gutters

Clearing out your gutters following autumn is a great way to ensure your plumbing won’t suffer from blockages when the water hits.

roof repair
Getty

3. Consider insulation

Insulating your roof can keep you warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Check that yours is still in good condition, or consider have your roof insulated.

4. Fill the cracks

Gaps under doors, around windows or cracks that have begun to show in floors and walls can all cause cold draughts in your home, and these draughts can quickly make your home feel cold. Considering the cost of heating, it’s important to get those cracks identified and repaired prior to winter, so you aren’t spending money on heating that’s literally wafting out the door. Invest in door snakes for loose or sagging doorframes, or have them re-sealed.

crack in the wall
Getty

5. Deal with the damp now

If your home has a habit of developing mould or dampness during summer, then you need to identify the problem and try to rectify it before winter. Rising damp and mould can be exacerbated in wet weather, and both issues can cause serious health problems – not something you want during a season usually spent indoors.

6. Look at your windows

Winter is a time when many areas experience severe winds and hail. Keep your windows well-maintained nad check that your windows don’t rattle, and that they can withstand a bad storm. It’s impossible to sleep with a window rattling like an angry snake.

damp window
Getty

7. Do a heat check

Now is the time to check that your electric heaters and thermostats work, and have them repaired before the mercury really drops. For those who still have a fireplace, it’s important to keep it up-to-date and have the flue cleaned in case pests have made a home in it during summer.

8. Heat smarter, not harder

Heating is a huge cost to many families during winter, so you need to plan your use of it carefully. Only heat rooms when people are inside them, set your thermostat to 18-23 degrees, as every degree lower can save on your energy usage, and remember to close curtains or blinds to stop the heat from escaping.

Invest in winter-weight bedding and blanket, slippers for the family, and remember to leave throw blankets in accessible spaces. Rug up before you turn up the heat.

living room decorated for winter
Getty
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Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

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