Winter Edition: Your Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist

Prevention is easier than treatment for mould and mildew. Check around your house for spots that are prone to leaks, condensation or lack of airflow, which can result in built up moisture and mould.

Something as simple as cracking open windows to let air in can help. Or, consider investing in central heating and proper insulation to keep mould and mildew under control.

If you find mould in your home, contact a specialist to avoid risk of it negatively affecting your health down the line.

Planning on using your fireplace this winter? Right now is a great time to get your chimney cleaned of debris and checked for cracks.

Hidden dangers like these can compromise the safety and efficiency of your chimney. Remember to inspect your firewood shelter to ensure it’s nice and dry.

Ensure your heating system is prepped for winter by getting a heating specialist to change the air filters, clear PVC vent pipes of any obstructions, and clean the boiler and gas systems.

If you’re looking to reduce heating costs longer term (and minimise humidity and mould in the house), you could consider investing in central heating.

If you’re not the gardening type, or haven’t had time to tidy up the leaves this season, it’s a good idea to get this done before higher rainfall averages come our way.

Cleaning out your gutters will help to prevent water damage to your roof and potentially other parts of your house.

Get the brackets that secure the gutters and spouts checked when you have them cleaned. They may have become unclipped over time and can fall down in a storm (right when you need them).

Insulate pipes which are near windows, doors and parts of the home that are unheated and likely to freeze. It’s best practice to insulate all hot water pipes everywhere they run, in the interests of conserving energy.

Bushes and trees are the lesser known culprit of moisture in the home. Get them trimmed back to leave space for ventilation between the greenery and the house.

By pruning overgrown branches near electrical wires or your roof, you can prevent damage to your property in the event of bad weather.

Flushing your hot water tank will remove sediment build up and help lengthen the product life.

All homes require maintenance to keep heat in, and the weather and wind out. And as a general rule of thumb, all houses built before the 1960s, and most houses built before the 1980s will need some draught stopping, according to the Healthy Homes standard.

If you suspect a draught in your windows and want to invest in new ones, then consider double glazing. This can reduce the chill from outside, and in the long term, save you money on heating inside.

It also reduces condensation on windows, which means less likelihood of mould and mildew.

Before the morning frosts set in, it’s a good idea to check any walkways or driveways around your home. You can prevent slips and injuries by making sure walkways are slip-free and handrails are secure.

If any concrete spaces need to be fixed up, now is the time, as concrete doesn’t set well in cold weather.

Thermal backed curtains can prevent heat escaping through windows and doors during the colder nights. Properly fitted curtains can be just as good as double-glazing for insulating homes.

Check for tiles and screws that are loose, rusty — or worse — missing. Get a roofer to secure or replace these to prevent leaks, rust and potential damage that could be caused by loose items in a storm.

For more read our Quick Roofing Guide to Leaks, Repairs & Easy Maintenance.

Check lights and motion sensors are working, or install outdoor lighting in dark areas to help prevent slips on walkways and driveways.

Good insulation means your heating system doesn’t have to be on overdrive all winter long – and it can save you money.

If you have any, check that crawl spaces are properly insulated. You can also feel for draughts under doors to block air leaks, either temporarily or permanently.

According to Fire and Emergency NZ, you should check smoke detectors monthly. It’s a good idea to run a test and if needed, change the batteries.

However, if you’ve got a hardwired or mains powered detector, only a licenced electrician can replace or install them.

If your gardening tools are scattered around your backyard, it’s time to put them away out of the elements — tools like rakes, shears, and shovels are most affected.e

Pre-planted flowers can brighten up your garden in winter, and it’s also a good planting time for perennials that bloom in the spring or summer. If you’re looking to plant a winter veggie garden, consider radish, beetroot and leafy greens.

There’s plenty of time left to get the important jobs done before winter comes, but if you need a hand with some of the less exciting ones, post a job today to find a tradie who can help.