There’s nothing we all want to do more when those cold, winter months set in, than to curl up in our warm houses and hibernate until spring arrives. This is certainly a good choice, however before putting the kettle on and snuggling up in front of the fire there are a few things that need to be done to ensure you and your home are prepared for any weather the winter throws at you. Once you’ve winter-proofed, you can rest assured you’re ready and nothing can get in your way!
Preparing the Kitchen
You always see a sudden shift in kitchen essentials when the winter sets in. It’s time to decide what you no longer need from the summertime and replace it with essential items for the winter. You often find your fridge is full of half empty salad dressings or the freezers filled out with half empty ice-cream tubs, which can all be thrown away to make room for other items you may need to stock up on. You often find your kitchen fills up with comforting, homely foods that will keep you warm and cosy over the winter, such as soups and ingredients for a delicious broth or stew. Have a good look through your kitchen units and decide which foods are going to be forgotten and which foods you need to stock up on. If you feel you have food that won’t be eaten or will go off, taking this food to a food bank can help clear those kitchen cupboards whilst giving the food to a good home. There are so many great recipes to make yourself some warm, homely dinners such as pasta dishes, casseroles and soups and it’s also great to stock up on warm drinks such as hot chocolate, tea, coffee and so on to help keep you warm on those colder days.
Give Your Garden some TLC
The garden is always the part of the home that is neglected and almost avoided throughout winter. Whilst the cold, wintery weather may seem like a burden for the garden, it is a blessing in disguise. Of course, the winter weather will kill off any remaining flowers that once added a bright burst of character to your garden, but whilst this may be the case, the winter will also prepare your garden for the spring time, if you help it. Give your lawn it’s last mow around the beginning of November, making sure to trim the edges and prepare it as you would during the summer. This will keep your garden looking neater for longer, as well as making the first cut of the spring an easier one. Also, look at planting some bulbs to prepare for the springtime. If you have a selection of potted plants that would die if left outside, look at bringing them into your home, placing them in the garage or even in the kitchen and give them regular water. This will prevent the cold weather from killing them and keep them looking bright and fresh even when the weather isn’t!
Winter-proof your House
It’s a known fact that the winter conditions can cause havoc for your home. From leaks to broken guttering, you never know how strong the wind and rain could be. Preparing your home for the blistery months ahead will ensure you don’t get any nasty surprises when the rain starts and if anything were to go wrong, you’ll have an easier solution to fixing it. Starting with the exterior of your home, look for any cracks in windows, walls or door frames. This will prevent any draft from coming into your home and causing it to feel colder, even when the heating is on. Ensure your drains are working properly, as you don’t want any blocked drains causing leaks if the rain becomes heavy. It’s also a very good idea to check your guttering. This is the one place that leaves and moss seem to love to gather, and this can eventually cause blockages and leaks. If you clear your gutters of any excess leaves throughout autumn, you can rest assured they’ll be okay throughout the winter. Ensure that they are still connected, and no cracks have formed throughout the piping as this can also cause issues if you experience heavy rain or snow.
For the interior of your home there are a handful of things to check to ensure your home will be ready for the cold. Radiators are the best place to start. Bleed all your radiators and make sure the all work properly, this will prevent any heating issues. You might also want to have your boiler serviced, to ensure that it’s functioning perfectly and you won’t be left cold on any evenings! Invest in some rugs to place on any hard flooring such as laminate or stone, as this will make it much warmer and help insulate the rooms further.