Essential winter projects

The weather reports indicate that the first cold (and wet) front is on its way and scheduled to arrive this weekend. If you have been putting off essential winter projects - time to get these done... quickly.

We South Africans tend to be a laid back lot - leaving most maintenance projects to the last minute. Winter is on its way, according to the weather report, and it's time to make sure your home is ready for the onslaught. Here are a few essential winter maintenance projects you might want to think about tackling now:

CHECK ROOF

Grab a stepladder or pop into the attic to see what's going on above your head. We tend to put off roof maintenance to the last minute because it's inconvenient, but inspecting the roof now will save you a lot of money if there are loose or broken roof tiles, rusty roofing nails, cracks in tar sheets, or even loose flashing.

If you know there are problems with your roof, call in a professional to sort these out or pop into your local Builders for a temporary fix until you can afford to have a professional attend to it.

If you need help, visit our Home Improvement or Maintenance sections. We offer advice on homes with roof tiles, flat roof or IBR sheeting.

SEAL WINDOWS & DOORS

Gaps around window frames and at the bottom of doors allow heat to escape. It's not a long or arduous project to add insulation around window frames, or fit a draught excluder to doors, and you will find all the tools and supplies at your local Builders or hardware store. If you're not sure what you need, or where to start, find helpful tips in our Maintenance section.

In our Maintenance section you will find step-by-step instructions for fitting a draught excluder to doors.

FIX DAMP

Damp in walls will only get worse if left unattended. Plus, when it gets cold your walls won't be able to insulate your home properly. With a can of Prominent Paints Damp Cure (or damp prevention treatment at your local hardware store), a few tools, and a couple of hours, you can fix up damp and know that your home will keep you snug and warm in winter. 

If there are other areas in the home that you know need attending to and you just haven't got round to it - time to get cracking!