Winter Home Maintenance: 'Tis the Season
- Jun 1
- 5 min read
I used to live in Japan, in the kind of place where you can get snowed in, and you may need to shovel out the car before work. We Aussies are spared from that level of winter wonderland in our cities (it's really not very magical, trust me!), but the changing season can represent the perfect time to attend to certain jobs that aren't typically front of mind.
I get it - nobody wants to do home maintenance, but it is one of those things we really need to do. Like flossing. Or exercise. Or tax returns. (EOFY prep is not on this list btw). However, the jobs that are on the list for this edition's 'Tis the Season aim to be good for one's health and comfort, and contribute to a well-functioning existence.
Being cooped up in home hibernation (just me?) is a good time to test smoke alarms, safety switches and security systems. Safety first, as they say! We all know these devices are literally life saving, but beyond that many of us don’t really think about them at all.
In fact, I have a confession - I didn't realise smoke alarms routinely die beyond the battery sitch. Their lifespan is roughly 5 years. Mine were older than that when they ceased working, so I had to buy and install new ones, which gave me the chance to see what's new in the smoke alarm world. A lot it turns out, including reducing false alarms when your toast burns (just me, again?).
But, they can only support your safety and security if they’re fully functioning, and the only way to know that is to periodically check. Now is as good-a-time as any, right?
Battery operated usually take one 9V battery and they’re almost impossible to load incorrectly. Re-mounting them, on the other hand, can be fiddly. Be sure to press the tester button (earplugs are highly recommended at this point because the sound up close is deafening!).
LED smoke alarms don't require battery replacement, which is handy, but it means the whole unit has to be thrown out when it stops working, which I don't love.
If you’re looking at replacement smoke alarms, you may like to consider interconnected ones (especially in larger homes), which are available for either battery-operated ones or newer hard-wired systems. Note that hardwired systems are mandatory in newer homes, but they do require hiring a licensed electrician.
Think carefully about the positioning - preferably on the ceiling or high on the wall not too close to the adjoining surface. Avoid dead air spaces such as corners or near bulkheads, and keep away from vents and other fixtures etc. There are actually formal standards about where they can be located, so whether you’re doing D-I-Y or hiring a handyperson, make sure you’re across the rules. (See the fact sheet below)
Safety switches on your switchboard prevent fires from starting, and it's recommended by Energy Safe to test them periodically.
I love carpet, especially underfoot in winter. But they can get truly disgusting. Dead skin cells, food stains, dust mites, hair, pet hair. Anyhooo..
No amount of vacuuming compares to a proper deep clean of carpet, rugs & upholstery to keep them hygienic and allergen-free. If you prefer to D-I-Y, you can hire the machine, but a professional job will be faster, better and they may be able to leave it dry so you can walk on it sooner and therefore doesn't impact you too much.
I recently borrowed my neighbour's Bissell rug cleaner, which was easy to use and did a pretty good job as an in betweener. I thought the rug was fairly clean, but doing a carpet clean with water and a special solution proved me wrong!
Yes, you’ll need to move furniture (why not take the opportunity to clean the walls?
I strongly suggest wiping down your skirting boards – perhaps even a repaint? (I did!)
The older your carpet, the more gross it is with built-up yuck and squished underlay. If it's over 10 years old, maybe consider an upgrade. Note that you can re-use the gripping strips (ironically called ‘smooth edge’), but often a professional carpet layer will replace it anyhow. Save money by ripping up the carpet yourself (but save your knees and leave laying it to the pros!).
Underlay isn’t all the same. It’s colour coded for thickness. If you prefer a softer feel (such as in the bedroom), go for the more expensive stuff and leave high traffic areas with basic underlay.
Review the Carpet Basics infographic in the Bang! Club Library for more info
We all have a list of small (and growing!) jobs and annoyances; bits and pieces that need fixing or adjustment, which never seem to get done. I read this book once by a life coach about the ‘upgraded life’. She talked about how not putting up with broken stuff and small irritations can make a person feel rich, or at least not poor. That resonated with me – as someone who habitually uses things until they’re literally non-functional because I grew up with a post-war era Mum with an environmental conscience. And still, I thought that was good advice, so once a year I think we all deserve to take care of the little things that make life easier.
With the onset of the early sunsets, and cold evenings increasingly spent indoors, how about tackling one little job each weeknight? That seems less daunting than all in one go, and more realistic.
Tighten or oil hinges, super glue the mug handle back on, replace the window winder, repair the cavity sliding door, get rid of the shower mildew, or change the dripping tap washers. You'll truly wonder why you put up with it so long! Do yourself a favour and stop putting it off.
I re-sealed my backsplash and bath silicone, fixed some loose hooks and fixed a squeaky hinge so far, with a few more things to do. I already feel better for prioritising myself.
The constant damp and lack of drying sun can expose timber (especially exteriors) to too much moisture, and suddenly your furniture, benchtops, decks, balustrades, window sills etc are showing signs of weathering, wear, and even wood rot. For owners of timber elements in the home, protecting against the elements is the cross they must bear. Last winter I re-did my kitchen and bathroom worktops (5 coats!) and now they’re so much more durable. Those worktops in particular are subject to frequent wetness, so ensuring water remains on the surface (not penetrating into the fibres) is critically important for longevity.
Whether you prefer regular polishing, periodic oiling, or a bi-annual full sand back and re-lacquer, taking care of your timber - especially in high use areas like decks and entryway thresholds, will ensure they're beautiful and durable for many years to come.
The goal here is maintenance, so ideally this job is done before too much weathering has occurred. If sections are essentially naked, you’ll need to strip the whole thing back and start again. It's a good way to remove greying that some folks don't like. But if it’s just slightly worn, a light sand and re-coat will usually suffice.
Sanding is only required insofar as you create some roughage for the lacquer/oil/stain to cling to. If you sand to a very high grit, the pores close and you won’t get sufficient penetration of the treatment.
Oiling, using hardwax oil or something like Tung or Linseed oil, is a natural, non-toxic alternative to plastic/petroleum-based proprietary products.
Make sure you use products labelled as ‘Food Safe’ for any timber surfaces related to hygiene – kitchen benchtops, dining and coffee tables, cutting boards etc. I quite like Cabot's Benchtop Clear.
See the Timber Furniture Restoration guide in the Bang! Club Members' Library for detailed instructions.
The Home Owners’ Operators Manual is filled with other tips for taking care of your biggest asset from pre-purchase inspection through to financing renovations. Download the complete e-Guide now.
