If you live in the Overberg, you know the drill. The south-easter howls all summer, the winter rain comes in sideways, and the salt air finds every bare screw, gate hinge and unsealed deck board. From Struisbaai and L’Agulhas to Arniston, Bredasdorp, Napier and Elim, our homes work harder than most. The good news: a little maintenance at the right time saves a lot of money later.
At HPM Bouhandelaars in Struisbaai we see the same problems come through our doors every season. Here is our practical guide to keeping a coastal Overberg home in good shape, all year round.
1. Stop the leaks before the winter rain
The Overberg gets most of its rain in winter, and that is exactly when a small roof crack turns into a stained ceiling. Late summer and autumn, while the weather is dry, is the time to get up on the roof.
- Check the problem spots: flashings, valleys, chimneys, screw heads and the joins between roof sheets or tiles.
- Clean first: remove loose paint, rust flakes, moss and salt build-up with a wire brush so a coating can grip.
- Prime chalky surfaces: old, powdery paintwork and porous surfaces need a primer like HPM Bonding Liquid first.
- Reinforce cracks and joints: bed HPM Rubber Membrane or HPM Membrane Patches into the coating over cracks, joints and other weak spots.
- Seal the whole roof: HPM Rubber Seal is a flexible, waterproof roof coating for fibre cement, Chromadek, concrete and metal roofs. It comes in 1L, 5L and 20L and in several colours, including white, charcoal, light grey and terracotta.
- Small gaps and cracks around frames and joins can be filled with HPM Rubber Acrylic Sealant.
Always work on a dry day with no rain forecast, and use a sturdy ladder. We stock Maxi step, extension and combination ladders.
2. Give your wood a fighting chance against sun and salt
Decks, pergolas, doors and outdoor furniture take a beating at the coast. Strong sun dries the wood out, salt air greys it, and the wind blasts it with sand. Bare, grey wood cracks and rots much faster. A good exterior sealer, reapplied before the wood looks tired, is the cheapest insurance you can buy.
- Woodoc 30 and 35 Exterior Polywax Sealers give outdoor wood a low-gloss finish, clear or in meranti.
- Woodoc 50 Clear Marine Sealer is made for exterior wood in tough conditions, in gloss or matt.
- Woodoc Deck Sealer and Deck Dressing are made for wooden decks.
- Rystix Timbacare Armadek is a quick-drying, low-odour, water-based coating for decks, outdoor furniture and cabins. It won’t peel or flake when applied to clean, dry timber.
Tip: clean the wood and let it dry properly before you seal it. Sealer over salt, dust or damp wood will not last. A quick sand with the right sanding paper makes a big difference to the finish.
3. Win the war on rust
Salt air is hard on anything made of steel: gates, burglar bars, braais, gutters, garden tools and car parts. Rust spreads fastest where paint is chipped, so catch it early.
- Remove loose rust down to sound metal with a wire cup brush or flap disc on an angle grinder, or a wire brush by hand for small jobs.
- Work the bare metal and repaint it the same day, before fresh rust forms.
- Rinse salt off outdoor metal with fresh water now and then, especially after a windy week.
- Replace rusted screws and fittings as soon as you see them. A rusted screw head often lets water into the roof or woodwork as well.
4. Light up the outside, the smart way
Good outdoor lighting makes a home safer and more welcoming. Coastal weather is hard on fittings, though, so choose lights that are made for it. Look for an IP rating: the higher the second number, the better it keeps water out. Fittings rated IP65 are a good choice for walls and gardens exposed to wind and rain.
We carry a wide range of Bright Star outdoor lighting: IP65 LED wall lights and floodlights, bulkheads, lanterns, bollard lights and solar lights with motion sensors. Solar lights need no wiring, so they are a handy choice for paths, gates and holiday homes.
5. Refresh the inside for the season
Not every job is a battle with the weather. A tired cupboard, chair or old dresser can look brand new with Tjhoko chalk paint. It is an eco-friendly, all-in-one paint with a built-in primer and sealer. It sticks to wood, melamine, metal, tiles and glass with minimal preparation and dries to a matt, vintage-style finish. It is perfect for a quick holiday-home makeover. You’ll find the full range of colours in our store.
A simple Overberg maintenance calendar
- Late summer to autumn: roof check and waterproofing, gutters cleaned, cracks sealed before the winter rain.
- Winter: indoor projects like painting, furniture makeovers and fixing what the storms found.
- Spring: clean and reseal decks, doors and outdoor furniture, and treat any rust before the summer wind season.
- Summer: rinse salt off outdoor metal, check outdoor lights, and enjoy the stoep you looked after.
Local advice from people who know the Overberg
We are a local building supplier, and we live with the same wind, salt and rain you do. Not sure which product suits your task, or how much you need? Contact us. Bring a photo of the problem and will help you find the right solution.
HPM Bouhandelaars, Erf 1666, Cinneraria Street, Struisbaai
Phone: 028 435 6331 | WhatsApp: 076 370 4367
You can also browse our online shop and order with delivery. Long or heavy items, like ladders, go by truck.