How to get your home ready for winter

Now that the chillier months have begun to set in, you might be thinking about how you can get your home prepared for winter - here are some of the DIY projects you can tackle yourself.

Clean out your gutters

As the autumn leaves start falling, those gutters and downpipes can quickly fill up. Make sure you clean these out before winter really hits.

If they are up high, you may want to consider hiring a cherry picker to do the job.

Check outside light bulbs

While you have the cherry picker handy, now could be the time to make sure all your lights are in working condition. Check to see none of the bulbs have blown as you will need to rely on these lights more as the nights draw in and the dark creeps in earlier.

Insulate

If you haven't already added insulation into your home's roofs and floors, now may be just the right time. 

Insulation can help you feel toasty warm even when it's freezing outside. Come summer, this can also help to keep the heat at bay by keeping chilled air inside - it's a win-win no matter the season.

Look for leaks

While you may not be aware of them, there could be leaks in your home, which need to be mended before winter strikes. 

You can check for these by waiting for a windy day and taking a walk around the outside of your house. Use a torch to examine the most common draughty areas and see if you can spot any.

These can be sealed with a weather-resistant caulk or masonry sealer so that warm air can't escape. Even small cracks should be sealed up to prevent insects or other animals from nesting in your home.

Winterise your outdoor furniture

Although most outdoor furniture should be resilient, there are a few steps you can take to help it survive the winter months.

Give it a good wash in order to remove any outside grime. You may want to use a soft brush to scrub away the dirt. Another tip is to de-rust it with a scouring pad.

If you undertake this job, it is best to do a test run first to ensure the surface won't be scratched.

Plant for winter

Why not undertake some garden DIY? Just because there is a nip in the air is no reason you can't get outside and let that green thumb do some work!

There are plenty of winter fruit and vegetables you could plant in a vege patch - why not try garlic, broccoli, onions or carrots?