During the colder months, having a well prepared and maintained house is the key to being comfortable at home. Despite what everyone else thinks, winter in Australia can get pretty tough! Getting your home ready for the gruelling winter starts in the warmer months. Here’s how you can prepare:

1. Insulate Your Home

Adequate insulation is important if you want the interiors of your home to stay cosy. Insulation acts as a protective barrier to heat flow and is essential for keeping a space warm in winter and cool in summer. The minimum amount of insulation you should have in your home depends specifically on the climate in which you live.

2. Upgrade Your Windows

Windows have the least insulation when it comes to your home’s structure. If you’ve only got single pane glass or your windows haven’t been replaced in years, it’s time to upgrade. Having good quality windows will help keep all of the warm flow in your house.

3. Clean Gutters Out

Before winter starts, you should take the time to clear out the debris and mess clogging up gutters. This will ensure all rainfall will follow the correct gutter structuring and you won’t end up with any nasty leaks or drainage issues. Vertec Roofing, a Sydney based company, also recommend checking the gutter spouts are positioned correctly away from the house.

4. Check Heating System

It’s important to keep your heating system updated and service it regularly. New technology means old heating systems are growing outdated and expensive to run. Having someone come out to inspect, clean and identify any potential issues with your heating system before it gets too cold is a great way to get ready for winter.

5. Address Roof Repairs

The elements of winter weather put a lot of pressure on your roof, and in turn, your entire house infrastructure. Making sure the roof system is in good condition before the weather turns will help catch any leaks or roofing issues early on and save you a wealth of time and money. Checking the interior and exterior of your roof for any damage is simple enough, and if you’re unsure you can easily call out an expert to assess and address any roof problems.

6. Weather Strip Doors and Windows

One of the easiest ways to improve your home’s heating efficiency is to plug and seal air leaks around doors and windows. Identifying air leaks at home is as simple as lighting a candle and slowly running the flame around the edge of the frame of the closed door or window. Whenever you see a flame movement, you can note as a potential air leak. Weatherstripping can easily close the gaps around the edges of the door or window.

7. Clean Your Chimney

Chimneys and fireplaces are one of the most comfortable and easy ways to heat your home up in the winter. If your home has a chimney or fireplace, having it inspected and swept regularly will save you from experiencing any futures issues during winter so you can enjoy a toasty living space.

These simple checks and upgrades will not only improve your home for winter but all year round. As a homeowner, regular house maintenance is the key to keeping your space comfortable and safe.