We spend a lot of energy protecting ourselves from the cold weather, but what about our most valuable assets? Our houses and cars can take a knock in the winter months, often resulting in expensive repairs and replacements.

All maintenance companies will tell you that prevention is far cheaper than having to fix something after the fact. Here are a few ways you can prepare your home and your car to avoid having to pay any unnecessary bills this winter.

Protect your car

• Vehicle batteries give more problems during the winter due to the increased amps to start up a cold engine. To avoid a flat car battery on a winter morning, make sure you check your battery is in good working condition. This includes keeping it clean, checking the water level and checking that you have switched off everything when you turn off your engine. Going in for regular services will also increase the life of your battery.
• Tyres need to be kept in good condition and replaced when worn out, especially during the winter months when roads are wet and slippery. According to South African law, your tyres must have at least a 1mm tread. Anything less is considered unroadworthy.
• Windscreen wipers need to be working correctly. Avoid using wipers to clean mud or soil off the windscreen, as this can scratch the glass.
• If possible, park your car under cover, especially during extreme weather. Alternatively, if you don’t have under-cover parking, consider buying a car cover. 

Protect your home

• Regular gutter cleaning is important. Remove any leaves or debris that are blocking the gutters, as they can break the brackets. Trapped water can also leak out under the tiles of the roof and cause damage to your ceiling.
• While you’re up there cleaning the gutters, take a look at the tiles on the roof to see if any are missing or damaged, or have shifted out of place.
• Check your chimney for blockage, like a bird’s nest or soot build-up.
• Check the outside of your house for any trees or branches that are low-hanging and have the potential to blow down and damage your property. Trim them back, or consider a professional tree feller if the job is too big.

The information contained in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

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