The Queensland winter is a time of year when we need to be extra careful with our properties. With the change in temperature, it can lead to more damage and wear on your property.
This blog post will cover 7 tips that you should have in mind this season so that you don’t find yourself struggling come summer time!
Roof Maintenance
When we aren’t going outside as much during winter, often our roof may be neglected . However, this can lead to a number of problems and add on maintenance costs. To ensure your roof is looking its best for summer-time, you should be checking it regularly during the Queensland winter months.
If there are any broken tiles or shingles that need replacing, they will likely have been damaged by high winds which accompany cold weather.
If these are not fixed, they can create all sorts of issues such as leaking, excessive dry rot and mold growth.
It is always recommended to have this checked and repaired by a licensed maintenance person sooner rather than later to prevent any larger issues which could become costly.
Cleaning Gutters during the Winter Months
Winter means rain and winds, and a blocked gutter can mean water damage inside your home.
If you have a gutter that is blocked, it will start to overflow with rain water down the side of your house or leaking, causing wood rot or mold growth on siding as well as rusting at metal flashing seams which eventually lead to more costly repairs.
While you may be able to do this yourself, we recommend for safety purposes that you don’t, and leave it to someone that knows the best way to service your guttering, or fix any current issues correctly.
Damaged Walkways and Driveways
During the winter months our driveways become slippery, and often grimy.
Using the right equipment and chemicals (if required) to ensure you don’t affect the environment or do permanent damage to your driveway means that you should consider a tradesman to carry out this for you, and make sure that they are insured and qualified.
Sealing your driveway is also a great way to protect it from the elements, and possibly save you some additional costs down the track.
Mould and mildew on fences and walkways
We recommend removing the mould and mildew as soon as possible, rather than waiting. We also suggest that you rinse your walkway with water continuously to prevent it from returning.
You can often use a strong safe clean agent such as bleach or vinegar for this task – though if using bleach ensure it is mixed thoroughly in order to avoid any potential damage to plants/grass. Alternatively, a good handyman will know the correct way to do this, with less impact to your property.
Keeping your Heating Systems in Check
Whether you use an electric heater or have a fireplace or pot belly heater, they all require some love and care from time to time. Ensure they are cleaned, checked for any possible issues, and if you are using an electric heater, ensure you have the electrical plugins and cords checked by a licensed electrician each season.
Keep those Dryer Vents Clean
There is a good chance that you’ll be using the clothes dryer a little more during the winter months, so it is important to keep those dryer vents clean. This can be done by cleaning them regularly with vinegar and water or a household cleaner, as well as checking the vent for any blockages like lint from time-to-time.
Don’t get hot over a cold shower!
We all appreciate a hot shower one those cold winter mornings, and If you’re on a gas hot water system, you’ll appreciate how important it is to ensure your gas tanks are full and the lines are working correctly. No one enjoys a cold shower!
Have a gas fitter check your gas line and system for you, particularly if it is aged, and a simple check of your gas tank can make the difference between a warm and cold shower!
While we are lucky in Queensland that our winters are not too extreme, ensuring you don’t neglect things during the change in climate can mean you can get out and enjoy Spring when it comes around, instead of catching up on home maintenance!
For all your home handyman advice, contact the One Call Handyman, serving the outer Brisbane suburbs.
