We are deep in the throes of winter now and we have spent some time and money recently updating the front garden and preparing the outside of our home ready for the cold season.
Although you probably won't be using your outside space as much in the winter as you do in the summer, you still want it to look good and fare well in the elements so a little planning and preparation is key so that by the time that winter is over, the exterior of your home is preserved in exactly the way you would like it to be.
Weatherproof your paintwork
The first thing you should consider doing is investing in a durable paint coating for your home. You can protect your brickwork and paintwork on the outside of your home with a weatherproof coatings service. This means that not only will the outside of your home look really smart but it will also provide protection from the elements for up to 25 years. Hiring external wall painters All Weather Coating will save you from painting your house for years to come!
Clean and seal your paths/ driveways
It is important to seal your paths and driveways every couple of years, ideally before the really cold weather sets in. This will not only extend the life of your driveway but will also protect it from snow and ice over the cold spell. It's not a difficult task and you should be able to clean and seal it yourself.
Consider your plants
If you have plants that need to be protected from the frost to ensure their survival, hatch a plan on how to protect them over the winter. This article from Gardener's World has some easy ways to protect plants from frost if you aren't sure how to do it. I also like to make sure that I have some colour in my garden over the winter so I invest in hardy, evergreen plants that will provide some greenery and survive the cold.
Protect your furniture
If you have furniture that is kept outside over the winter make sure that you protect it so that it is in good condition for the spring when you will want to start using it again. Make sure that wooden furniture is well painted and sealed and that all furniture is covered with protective covers so that it is protected from the rain as well as the ice and snow.
Insulate your pipework
This is a really important one - make sure that any pipes are well insulated. If the temperature drops below freezing, water may freeze inside your pipes causing them to burst. A burst pipe can do a lot of damage - believe me! Insulating pipes is easy to do yourself, you can buy special insulating foam and tape and it will only take minutes to protect your home from any potential damage.
Clear your gutters and drains
On the same note, you can protect against water damage over the winter by making sure that your gutters and drains are clear from autumn leaves. This means that if there is heavy rainfall or snow, it will drain away quickly rather than build up and potentially leak into the house.
I hope that you found these tips useful - is there anything else that you would recommend to do to prepare the outside of your home for the winter?
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