Property Shop Winter Tips

Bon Marche’s New Flagship in Avondale

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME AND STILL ENJOY BEING OUTDOORS THROUGH THE WINTER SEASON

Throughout the year there are fundamental repairs that need to be carried out as the seasons change. This time we focus on the most important issues to consider in preparation for the winter season:

CLEAN FIREPLACES AND CHIMNEYS: Over time a wood fireplace chimney will accumulate a highly flammable substance called creosote. This and any other blockages in and around the chimney and fireplace area are important to remove. Blockages may also block smoke from going up the chimney which will cause the smoke to stay in your house, staining your walls and furniture.

SEAL OFF ANY OPENINGS: As the winter season approaches, we are not the only ones looking to be situated in a nice warm environment. Creepy crawlies and other little critters will also be looking for the best spots, particularly if there are any gaps or holes in walls, ceilings and floors that may have been created by wear and tear or weather damage. You need to do a thorough check and make sure any potential entrances are sealed off well in advance.

DRAIN WATER HEATER TANKS: A lot of homes these days are reliant on water being delivered by water trucks or on the use of a borehole. This water may be transferred into the tanks with sediment that can be extremely damaging to water heaters as they use elements. These sediments can also cause blockages to your water outlets.

CHECK WATER PRESSURE: As the winter season nears it is important to check your water pressure. In winter your water pipes contract and if the pressure is too high then you may find yourself with a burst pipe on a very cold morning or evening There are a few more requirements for those with bigger yards that have a lot of vegetation or even perhaps a swimming pool;

PRUNE BUSHES, TREES AND SHRUBS: This is important as winter time usually comes with strong winds and to prevent dead branches falling all over the place then you should take some time to do this. Pruning is especially important in the instance that you might have vegetation growing close to power lines. They present a high risk of damage.

SWIMMING POOL: Although the idea of turning off your swimming pool during the winter period may sound attractive as it will reduce your running electricity bill, the supposed electricity saving idea can be crippling to your swimming pool systems such as the filtration pump. So, if you can avoid this please keep your swimming pool running.

For outdoor fans such as myself winter should not mean you have to hibernate. Consider DIY improvements to keep you entertained. An absolutely stunning fire pit, for example, will encourage socialising with friends and family on those long winter nights. Don’t make this winter season a glum one, get well prepared and make the most of it.

Built in 1995 by a very creative architect, stands a majestic country manor house, built to the highest specifications. This home marries peace, privacy and beauty into a harmonious living space. This Cape Dutch home has it all and it boasts the following features:

As you enter the house, you walk into a high beam Atrium, filled with plenty natural light and as you look up, you are met with railing across the top floor that overlooks the house below. Starting on the first floor, the home consists of four bedrooms, with two en suite bathrooms whilst the other two bedrooms share a bathroom. The second floor is a loft room, multifunctional and changeable according to your living needs.

Moving downstairs to the ground floor, we find a farmstyle kitchen, fully equipped with modern appliances and a walk-in pantry. Closest to the kitchen is the dining hall. Host your guests in the 16 seater dining hall, which connects to a formal drawing room. If you prefer less formalities, there is a living room directly opposite the drawing room when walking through from the entrance. Both lounges have a fireplace and the living room on your left is uniquely built to open up to the outdoors. One more hidden gem in the main house...Down some stairs from the ground floor is a cloakroom and a double bedroom that has an en suite bathroom.

Stepping outside the main house through an archway from the scullery, you will find the pool house. The lounge is open plan, with a kitchen, bar, fireplace, shower and toilet. Walking outside the pool house, you are greeted by the saltwater swimming pool.

Further down from the Pool House, you will see a tennis court and well manicured gardens supplied by a well designed water ecosystem. There are three boreholes, 2 x 10,000l water tanks, a 40,000l water reservoir and an additional 1 million litre covered reservoir built for water harvesting.

Lastly, the staff quarters are divided in two. The first living quarters consists of 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, shower & kitchen. The second living quarters has 4 rooms. These are secluded in their own nooks on the property.

Cape Dutch Splendour

Other features of the property include:

Power: the house is powered by a 6kva Inverter and 24 solar panels, enough to be off the grid. For backup, there is a 27kva generator.

Security: there is a 12ft wall that surrounds the property, an electric gate and a house alarm system connected to rapid response.

Parking: there is plenty of parking space in the front of the property as well as a double garage with a storeroom.

This property exudes country lifestyle with the picturesque views of indigenous trees and sloping hills. A must see for serious buyers and entities investing in hospitality, diplomatic housing and individual fine country living.