From crisp leaves underfoot to a slight chill in the air, autumn can be a fabulous time of year. However, the changing seasons do mean that you need to undertake a little property maintenance. As the weather becomes colder and wetter, it’s important to ensure that your property is well-equipped to deal with increased rain and lower temperatures. To get started, take a look at these 5 things to do around the house this autumn.
By Team Savant
Image: Weston MacKinnon
1. Clean the Guttering
As the trees shed their leaves, gutters are more likely to become clogged with debris. When this happens, rainwater will pool in the gutter before seeping down the exterior wall. This can penetrate into the masonry and cause damp and mould to take hold inside your home. By cleaning out the gutters and inspecting them for damage, you can ensure that they’re functioning optimally. If the gutters are high up then get a helper to hold your ladder and ensure your safety, or hire a professional like those at Clean Pro Gutter Cleaning Alexandria to take care of this for you.
2. Replace Broken Fence Panels
Damaged fence panels might have survived the summer but they’re unlikely to make it through autumn and winter. To prevent unnecessary damage to your home or neighbouring properties, order replacements from George Hill Timber Supplies. By replacing broken fence panels now, you could prevent the entire fence from coming down when the weather gets windy and rainy.
3. Check Your Heating System
You may not have used your heating system at all during the summer, so it’s worth checking that it’s functioning well now. If you wait too long, you could find that you’re without heating when the weather turns colder — and it might be tough to find a plumber at short notice.
At the same time, check that your carbon monoxide alarm is working so that any hidden issues are brought to your attention. Functioning alarms are essential to keep you and your family safe, and it only takes a few seconds to check that they’re working.
4. Feed the Grass
You may not have to mow the lawn during winter but feeding the grass in autumn can help to keep it healthy. Come springtime, you’ll be glad that you took the time to nurture the lawn when the grass is green and lush. Neglecting it now could mean that it struggles to grow next year, so be sure to use an appropriate product to add essential nutrients to your lawn.
5. Turn Off Outside Taps
If you have any outside taps on your property, you may want to shut them off in autumn to prevent the pipes from freezing in colder temperatures. To do this, you’ll usually need to turn the water off, turn the tap on to allow any water in the pipes to escape and then use a shut-off or isolation valve to turn the outdoor tap off. Then, you can turn the mains water back on and re-establish the flow of water to indoor taps, showers, toilets and appliances.
Getting Your Home Ready for Autumn
When you create an autumn checklist for your home, you’ll find it easy to complete the tasks that are necessary to protect your property. In fact, keeping your home well-maintained can be an enjoyable way of embracing a new season and everything it has to offer.