Tips for seasonal home maintenance:

Autumn is here and winter is coming soon. Seasons change and that often means it's time for some home upkeep and maintenance. Prep your home for the coming winter season with these top tips:

Routine maintenance

Routine maintenance of the home will ensure the property is in the best shape if you ever decide to sell. When you do decide to sell, you would want to sell at the best possible price and if your home needs repairs, you’ll ideally want it done before the property is listed. Remember, the estate agent can only work with what they see and can only value your property based on what they see.

A fresh coat of paint
Giving the home a fresh coat of paint will bring back its spark. If potential buyers walk into a dull, lifeless home, they won’t picture themselves living in it. Painting the home will require dry and warm weather so it’s best to do this during the warmer and dryer season and not during the cold and wet season. Remember to also include doors, door frames and ceilings.

Damp, mould and leaks
Ahead of the approaching winter, it is a good time to check for any damp, mould or leaks. It is always best to repair or replace before it becomes a bigger problem. Generally, the warmer, dryer seasons are best to do any waterproofing, damp or leak repairs.

Wooden and laminated floors and carpets
Wooden or laminated floors are fast becoming popular among buyers and often a good selling point. If you’ve installed flooring, have it checked by a reputable flooring company for any flaws or areas that may need attention or even replacement. If you have carpets, have these checked for any rips or tears, and professionally steam cleaned to prevent odours during damp conditions.
This type of work can generally be done throughout the year, but you will ideally need warmer weather for carpets to dry.

Kitchens and cupboards
Kitchens are typically one of the most expensive areas in the home to upgrade or repair and can be done almost any time throughout the year. The same applies to repairing or upgrading any cupboards throughout the home. Bathroom repairs and upgrades can also be done almost any time during the year.

Electricity and plumbing
Electrical and plumbing of the home can also be done almost year-round. A qualified electrician should check all electrical components to ensure they are in good working order and compliant with regulations and provide the necessary certificate. Check the geyser as well to make sure it’s in full working condition as an unexpected leak or burst could be a costly problem later. Check all indoor heating features and make sure they are in good working order before the colder months set in.
The same applies to any plumbing work. Drains should also be checked regularly and cleaned out at least once a year.

Roof, gutters and driveways
It is vital that you check the roof and gutters before the rainy season starts. If you are selling, remember that buyers may be ‘put-off’ a sale when hearing that a roof needs to be replaced or repaired. Also check driveways and the sides of the property for uneven ground that may cause water build-up towards the property, as this may lead to a damp problem.

Trees and the garden
Keep tall trees and large bushes trimmed to prevent any accidents or damage to the property during windy periods. Aim to keep your garden and outdoor areas properly maintained throughout the year. This will also help to keep seasonal plants flourishing and surviving unfavourable conditions.

Regular and timely maintenance is vital to prevent a pile up of costly repairs later that may end up having to be delayed due to weather conditions. Always seek advice from reputable service providers and remember to ask about guarantees or warrantees on any products used, as this will save you costs when maintaining or servicing.

This article is intended to provide a general guide and not specialist advice. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.