6 things to put on your home maintenance list this winter

As a homeowner, there may be a lot of work you have to do to keep your house and its surrounding property in good shape throughout the year. That may require even more diligence in winter, when temperatures can vary significantly from one day to the next and harsh weather is a little more common in many parts of Australia.

The following tips are all good steps to take when it comes to keeping your home in the best possible shape in the winter months – and beyond:

1) Use this time to get into the nooks and crannies

There are a lot of little things you can do to keep various parts of your home in good shape, and winter gives you the perfect opportunity to tackle them. Better Homes and Gardens advises that you make it a habit to clean off (or replace) the air filter in your vents, vacuum under and behind your refrigerator and other appliances, and so on. All of these little cleaning tasks help make sure everything in your home performs at peak capabilities on an ongoing basis, which may be critical if you're spending time indoors more frequently in winter.

2) Keep an eye on freeze damage

In some parts of the country, the weather can dip below freezing at this time of year – especially overnight – and that can do some damage to various parts of your home, especially if you have water lines that run along the outside of the home, like with a lawn sprinkler system. Any time you notice frost in the morning, you might want to look over these fixtures to make sure they're in good shape.

3) Check around your windows and doors

Over time, the wear and tear of just living in a house can do small amounts of damage, causing cracks around windows and doors, according to RAC. One small fissure here or there may not seem like a big deal, but if the problem is widespread, it can be significant in aggregate. Patching them up is easy, and you're losing more energy efficiency than you might realise in the meantime.

4) Clean out the gutters

Heavier rain in the winter is just a reality for many Australian homeowners, and if you have gutters on the roof, you need to make sure they're clear. Any backups caused by dead leaves and other debris can lead to water damage in some cases, which may be quite costly to fix. As such, you would be wise to get up on a ladder and clear out all your gutters.

5) Trim back plants in your yard

Another all too common part of winter storms nationwide is that winds can really pick up, and you don't want a big branch or even an entire tree getting blown into a part of your home. That can do significant damage, so it's a good idea to trim back anything that's too close to your home. If you have any dead trees on the property, you should get them removed altogether.

6) Clean up the exterior

It's usually a good idea to give your home's exterior the occasional deep clean, such as with a power washer, and winter can be the perfect time to do it, All in One Handyman Service noted. That effort could include not only cleaning off the siding on the home itself, but also any grime or gunk that has built up on your walkways.

When you're looking to move – whether it's into a starter home or because you're trading up for your growing family – it's wise to put yourself in the best possible position. At Ray White Surfers Paradise, we can help you navigate the ins and outs of the homebuying process and get you the right house at the right price for your needs. Give us a call today to learn more.