After blistering temperatures and sweltering days, it seems Autumn is going to arrive early across much of the UK. For homeowners, the changing seasons are always a reminder of property maintenance. In fact, planning your property upkeep around the weather is a good way to ensure your home is always protected from the elements.
If you want to avoid unnecessary leaks, needless power outages and costly repairs, take a look at these essential ways to prepare your home for Autumn:
1. Check your gutters
The blustering Autumn weather and increased rainfall mean your gutters will be put to good use this coming season. While you may not notice broken guttering in the Summer, you’ll soon become aware of it once the weather starts to change. Professional gutter clearance and drain unblocking is the most effective way to protect your property. With an expert eye, professional technicians can clear existing gutters and advise you of potential issues or damage.
Broken gutters may not seem like a massive problem, but they could turn into one. If gutters can’t contain the rainfall or they leak, it’s only a matter of time before the property itself becomes damp. By clearing your gutters regularly and checking them for damage, you can avoid your property succumbing to damp and mould this Autumn.
2. Turn your heating on
When the sun’s out and the temperature is high, you may not have your heating on for weeks at a time. Of course, once Autumn sets in, you’ll be reliant on your system to keep you cosy. Autumn is the busiest time of year for boiler repair firms, mainly because people don’t realise their heating systems are broken until they go to use them.
Turn your heating system on now to confirm it’s working. If not, you’ll be able to access professional help quickly and avoid potential lengthy wait times. Remember – a broken or faulty boiler can be a major health hazard, so it’s always worth having your heating system checked by a professional engineer.
3. Look for standing water
The next time there’s a heavy downpour, walk around your property and keep an eye out for standing water. If there are cracked paving slabs on your driveway or patio, for example, this can cause rainwater to pool against the property. If this happens, the water will permeate the wall and potentially cause the property to become damp.
Fortunately, there are lots of ways to prevent this from happening. Repairing broken paving slabs may remedy the problem but air brick covers are also a temporary solution that can work for some homeowners. Although air bricks are designed to facilitate ventilation, covering them temporarily to prevent flooding can be a viable option.
4. Cut the grass
You won’t be cutting the lawn during the wintertime, so you’ll want to ensure you get one last cut in before Autumn is upon us. Most people in the UK still use electric lawnmowers, which means you’ll need to wait until the weather is dry to cut the lawn. Fortunately, lawns grow slowly during Autumn and Winter, so you needn’t worry about your garden becoming too overgrown.
By getting a ‘last cut’ in before the weather changes, you can ensure your garden is in tip top condition before the temperature drops. In addition to cutting the lawn, take the time to remove overgrown branches from trees and move fragile flowerpots or garden ornaments indoors. The wind and rain could cause branches to fall, while cold temperatures could crack fragile materials. Taking action now will prevent unnecessary accidents and keep your garden accessories in perfect condition for next Spring.
5. Check for draughts
People assume that modern homes aren’t affected by draughts, but this isn’t the case. In fact, you could be spending much more on your utility bills if your property is losing heat. Check around all windows and external doors. If you notice any gaps or cracks in the plasterwork, it’s highly likely your property is affected by draughts. To prevent loss of heat, you can repair the plasterwork or simply use weatherstripping as a simple solution.
Keeping Your Property in Perfect Condition
Unforeseen repairs can be a hassle, particularly if you haven’t budgeted for them. However, maintaining your property significantly reduces the risk of things going wrong. By keeping up to date with your upkeep schedule, you’ll spend less time and money preserving your property.
What’s more – you’ll avoid the disruption and stress of unexpected repairs when you take the time to prepare your home for Autumn.
