This post originally featured on MyDeal.com.au
Check out our special mention in MyDeal.com.au blog post, ‘How to Prep your Home for Winter’
With daylight savings over and the leaves changing colour, Summer feels a distant memory. Not everyone is a Winter lover but there’s a few tricks that can help. Here’s 6 steps that will keep your house cosy and warm this year.
Ready the entryway
The Autumn/Winter months typically mean more rain or hail than sunshine. Instead of getting caught out searching for your keys install a sturdy door awning for added protection from the elements. If it’s style you’re after then a clear polycarbonate awning should do the trick. But for total cover there’s also larger, retractable options.
Check your pipes
We know how boring it is to keep up with the house maintenance all year round. But we also know how important it is to get you through every season unscathed. The experts at Gallant Plumbing have provided us with a Winter plumbing checklist that narrows it down to the most important maintenance.
“We have 4 main points which we believe are most important.
1- Gutter, Downpipe & Stormwater Drainage system
It’s important to make sure these are clean, clear & functioning!
2- Hot Water Unit
No one likes a cold shower! It’s important to ensure that your unit is up to the challenge as they are under increased loads during winter.
3- Water Pipes
Frozen pipes will damage pipework and therefore water flow. It’s important to check external pipes for any leaks and also any sink or tap leaks, as they are wasting unnecessary dollars on your water bill!
4- Roof Leaks
Be proactive rather than reactive and ensure no roof leaks are present before the Winter downpours roll in.”
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Add extra layers of warmth
Many of us rely on expensive heating systems to get through the colder months but what if there were another way? Keep your energy bills down by adding extra layers of warmth to your home in other areas. You could install roller blinds for better insulation, trapping that coveted heat in the house. Or add a cozy mattress topper to your bed for a budget friendly way to reinvigorate a well-loved quilt or mattress. Heat-regulating memory foam is a top choice for making sure you enjoy added warmth without succumbing to that sticky, too hot feeling.
Seal up cold drafts
Your heater won’t serve much purpose if there’s an unsealed door in your house. Check for cold drafts with this simple trick: take a lit candle and run it along the door edges. If the flame blows toward you there’s a draft. Call up your handyman or speak with the local hardware store for DIY solutions.
Swap your ceiling fan directions
Did you know that fan blades have a Summer and a Winter setting? The should move clockwise in Winter and run slower than usual to push warm air down and lift cool air up to the ceiling. Most fans have a toggle which switches their direction and it’s as easy as getting on a ladder to take a look.
Update the home decor
Your home decor is the best place to add touches of Winter warmth and style, from blankets and throws on your bed to rugs for wood floors. Take a walk around the house and seek out areas that could use a bit more cosy glamour.
There’s still plenty of time to get your home Winter-ready. With a mix of DIY and professional solutions you’ll be enjoying hot chocolates on the sofa rather than shivering in your boots.
