Winter in Cape Town is known to be a chilly and wet affair, low temperatures, and heavy rainfall spells trouble for your property. The gloomy winter weather can put more than just a damper on one’s mood, it has the potential to cause major issues to properties.
Stormy cold fronts heave through the Western Cape from June through to September, more than 70% of the Cape’s annual rainfall is accumulated over this period. It is imperative to keep a close eye on minor issues that may result in major damage if not attended to.
This maintenance checklist may assist you in ensuring your property is ready to take on this chilly season.
The roof
A property’s roof takes the greatest knock when it comes to winter, frequent check-ups of the roof for missing, worn, and even broken roofing materials that can allow water to infiltrate and weaken the roof’s structure is important.
Poor insulation is a prime candidate for condensation, which can lead to mold and mildew, damaging the interior structure of your home. Major storms and overhanging trees also pose a threat as they cause cracks and remove the protective layer of your roof. Look out for shingles and loose material on your roof that may indicate any issue.
Water pipes
Leaks, damage, and corrosion are common issues along plumbing lines, regular inspections are vital as they allow you to know if there are any early signs of problems that you should be aware of. The issues to look out for are leaking pipes, running toilets, low water pressure, slow or clogged drains, and water heating problems.
Walls and floors
Flooding is an annual winter occurrence in many parts of Cape Town, poor soil drainages and water leaks are prevalent during this time, making the foundation of walls and floor inspections a primary for homeowners.
Gutters
Leaves and other debris are regular suspects that cause clogging of gutters and drainage pipes, if gutters are not regularly cleaned, they can cause water to pool on the roof which may result in rotting and leaks.
Paint
Peeling and bubbling are often a result of a lot of moisture in the air due to paint not sticking to wood, this issue is common on wood side-tracks and finishes.
Wooden doors and windows
Excessive exposure to wind, rain and hail often results in wood becoming soft and damp causing the wood to rot which poses a structural issue to properties.