Winter home maintenance tips for South Africans

With winter in full swing, now is the time to start thinking about some essential (if not particularly fun!) home maintenance. Here are a few tips to help you keep your home in top condition this winter and prepare for the eventual arrival of summer. 

Clean your gutters 

Winter is the dry season in most of South Africa, which provides an excellent opportunity for you to get up on a ladder and clean out your gutters. Clogged gutters can lead to all sorts of problems, including leaks, so it’s best to get them sorted before the rains come. If you’re in the Western Cape, get to this chore as early as possible. 

Inspect your roof for damage

While you’re up on that ladder, it’s also a good idea to take a close look at your roof and check for any signs of damage. Look out for cracked or missing tiles, as well as any gaps around vents or chimneys. If you spot any problems, get them fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

Check your home’s exterior 

Winter is also a good time to give the outside of your home a once-over, looking for any cracks or holes that need to be filled. This is particularly important if you have brickwork, as exposed bricks can become damp and lead to mould. Inspect your paintwork too, and touch up any areas that are starting to look a little shabby.

Check your windows and doors for drafts 

One of the quickest and easiest ways to make your home more energy-efficient is to check for drafts around windows and doors. If you can feel a draught, there’s a good chance that heat is escaping from your home, so it’s worth investing in some weather-stripping or draft excluders to seal up any gaps.

Have your heating system serviced 

If you have a gas heater, wood stove, or any other type of heating system, now is the time to get it serviced by a professional. This will help to ensure that it’s running efficiently and safely and will help to prevent any unexpected breakdowns during cold snaps. 

Service your air conditioner 

While running the aircon might be the last thing on your mind when it’s freezing outside, it’s actually a good idea to get your system serviced before you need to start using it again. This will help to ensure that it’s running efficiently and will help to prevent any breakdowns during the hotter months. 

Trim back trees and vegetation in the garden 

Winter is the perfect time to trim back any overgrown trees or bushes in your garden. This will help to prevent damage to your home during storms, and will also make it easier to keep your garden tidy when the weather starts to improve. 

Load shedding prep!

Last but not least, remember that the South African Winter invariably means load shedding is back. If possible, plan for power outages by having a backup generator or supplies on hand, and educate the kids on the safe use of candles and paraffin. 

Make sure help is at hand 

While ticking off all these maintenance tasks will help prevent bigger problems down the line, it’s sadly not possible to plan for every eventuality. When a window gets broken, or you’re faced with a plumbing or electrical problem, it’s usually when you least expect it!

But did you know that one of the many benefits of being an EMERGIVAC member is a 24/7 household assist feature? When the unexpected happens, we’ll make sure a qualified service provider is on their way to help. Find out more about the many benefits of joining EMERGIVAC, or reach out to one of our friendly consultants today.