Autumn is the perfect time to tackle home maintenance and prepare for winter. Here’s everything you need to know to tick off your home maintenance checklist.
Working on your home in the sweltering summer is hard – the heat is knackering. During winter, conditions are tough. Home maintenance is difficult, while the weather actually adds to repair issues (learn more by reading our guide about winter home maintenance).
So, when can you get your home in shape and ready for the challenges of winter? Autumn, of course!
This is your chance to solve problems, bulk up the building, and improve the state of your home.
Autumn presents a real opportunity to get your home in ship shape – and it’s something you’ll find increasingly difficult as the weeks and months pass by.
But it isn’t just about making improvements. The truth is that winter puts lots of pressure on homes.
The colder, wetter conditions batter the exterior of your property, and even the inside of your home isn’t safe. Damaged roofs or broken heating systems – both common during winter – could leave you in trouble.
These types of issues could affect your health, too, so it’s something to take seriously.
Taking care of your home in autumn is important, but it’s also a great time for so many tasks.
Firstly, it’s the last part of the year when you have light in the mornings and evenings, outside normal working hours. This is a boost for any tasks related to your home’s exterior.
Autumn also has moderate weather conditions. It’s not too hot, not too cold – just right, which makes life easier for laborious, physical tasks.
So, if your home needs a fix-up, let’s begin.
There’s plenty to be done, so we’ll get straight into it – here are your essential home maintenance tasks for autumn.
Cleaning the gutters
In autumn, leaves fall. Lots of them. That isn’t news to anyone, yet it’s something we can’t ignore.
Leaves and other debris can clog up your gutters and drainpipes, putting strain on the system.
If your gutters get blocked, it could cause roof leaks and other types of water damage. This could also break your gutters, meaning you'll need to pay for costly gutter repairs.
These blocked spaces also provide a great spot for pests, like insects and rodents. Clearing them out could save you from an infestation.
If you don’t have the right tools, or you’re not one for heights, hiring a gutter cleaning service might be the best call.
You can find out what you'll need to pay with our gutter cleaning cost guide.
And remember to save the leaves – you can use our guide to create leaf mould for your garden’s benefit.
Schedule a chimney sweep
According to HETAS, the government-approved heating registration body, there were more than 2,500 chimney fires in England between 2021 and 2022 – and many were avoidable.
If you have an open fire in your home, but don’t get your chimney swept and cleaned regularly, you’re putting your property at risk.
Doing this task in autumn really matters since you’re much more likely to use a fireplace during winter. This isn’t really a DIY task, so you’d better choose from the local chimney sweeps near you for help.
Stock up on firewood
Now that you know your fireplace is safe, it’s time to grab some firewood.
Get your hands on a solid supply of firewood that can take you through the upcoming season. Not only does this give you a warm, comfortable space, but it can actually save you money.
If you act early enough, you can dry out firewood from your garden before winter arrives. When there’s no potential firewood available on your property, you need to connect with your local firewood suppliers instead.
Check your windows and doors
Your windows and doors are the gateways to your property. They need to be strong and secure.
Cracks, loose hinges, and peeling sealant can all undermine your windows. If they’re looking worse for wear, get them fixed as a priority.
You can remove door hardware and window fixings, if you're a proficient DIYer. Of course, hiring a professional is always an option.
Even the tiniest gaps could stop you from having a warm, comfortable home. It could result in some nasty heating bills too!
Besides hurting your home's energy efficiency, weak doors and windows can also undermine your home security. In fact, neglecting your doors and windows is a common home security error.
Don't worry, though. A handyman can fix minor damage, and for more extensive work you might need to hire a window repair specialist instead.
It’s also worth looking at draught-proofing these entryways. It’s one of the cheapest yet most effective ways to keep cold air out and save energy.
Pro tip: want to seal up your windows again? Read our guide on how to reseal windows for easy instructions.
Arrange a boiler service
It’s broadly agreed that boilers need servicing every year. As it happens, autumn is the best time for these appointments.
Many homes rely on boilers for all their hot water and heating during the winter months. They need to be working properly before the cold sets in. You could be in for some chilly nights if your boiler isn’t up to it.
Boiler services help you avoid these situations. Gas Safe plumbers and engineers can check on your boiler’s condition, and then address any issues before they cause real damage.
Install more insulation
More than ever, we’re concerned with creating energy-efficient homes.
This is partly to do with our effect on the environment, but it’s also because better energy efficiency makes for a more comfortable and cost-efficient home.
Now, here's the bottom line – you need insulation if you're bothered about energy efficiency.
It can help you address temperature drops without always having your heating on, and in turn, can save you lots of money, too.
There are many types of insulation, and you’ll need it throughout your property (typically: attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, and even underfloor insulation).
It’s all about finding the right fit for your building.
If you’re not sure what your home needs, an insulation installer can carry out a survey for you.
Check your ventilation
Cold, wet conditions often lead to condensation – especially in poorly ventilated homes.
This might not sound like an issue, but it could lead to more serious problems (like mould and damp). Issues like these – and other types of mould, like rising damp – are common during winter.
A poorly designed setup could rob your property of much-needed heat, too.
So, what’s your next step? Checking whether your vents and extractor fans are in good shape is a start.
If you’re noticing lots of condensation, the first step is cleaning your extractor fans thoroughly.
If you continue to see condensation after cleaning, consider bringing in a ventilation service for a check-up. They could save you plenty of cash in the long run.
Bleed your radiators
Lukewarm radiators in the depths of winter weather – it’s the last thing you want. Unfortunately, it’s a common home maintenance issue.
There are several reasons why radiators might not be as hot as you’d like, but it’s usually down to air getting trapped inside them.
You can resolve this by bleeding the radiators yourself. If you’re not sure what to do, read our guide on how to bleed your radiators to get started.
You can’t ignore these tasks if you’re serious about preparing your home and getting it ready for winter.
By checking your vital systems are working, you’re sidestepping disaster and creating a more comfortable home. You might even help your bank balance, too.
You can do some of these tasks yourself. For the rest, you’ll need outside expertise.
Whether you’re looking to hire a handyman, plumber, or boiler engineer, start your search on Yell. If you don’t have time to browse, posting a free enquiry brings the professionals straight to you.