Sunday 7 April marks the end of daylight saving time for 2019. When the clocks go back (at 2am), it presents a good opportunity for homeowners to focus on autumn home maintenance. There are plenty of important jobs to take care of before winter. So get to work right away if you want to remain warm and cosy when the weather takes a downwards turn.
Early autumn is ideal for this, having favourable weather conditions and good light availability. Take this time to get your home and property in shape before the cold settles in. Work methodically, focusing on one task at a time.
Check Smoke Alarms
Checking your smoke alarms regularly is a good practice or keeping your family safe. You should check your smoke alarms at least twice a year. However, it is better to perform the test once a month to ensure that the smoke alarm is getting power and will provide you with adequate warning in case of fire.
If you have other fire prevention apparatus, compliance regulations may require they are periodically checked as well.
Clear Fallen Leaves
Fallen leaves can cause havoc if too many gather on your property. Take the time to clear leaves so that you have a clean yard before winter. This is one of the more tiresome tasks but you won’t regret clearing fallen leaves when spring comes around.
Clean Gutters
Gutters perform an important function in winter. If your gutters are full of leaves and other debris, rain water will not drain away effectively. This can result in overflow and damage to your property. If you are not confident to take on the task yourself, you will find plenty of handyman businesses willing to do the work if this is beyond your capabilities. More here…
Roof & Gutter Leaks
Winter is not a good time to discover that you have roof or gutter leaks. Besides letting the cold in, when it rains a leak in your roof could result in disastrous damage to your home. It is important to have any issues fixed so that your roof and gutters provide sufficient drainage for rain water. The cost of these repairs will be a drop in the ocean compared to what you will end up paying if leaks are left unresolved. Read full story here....
Window Seals
Window seals are an important element when it comes to ensuring that your home is energy efficient. In winter, if there are loose windows seals may create draughts resulting in condensation. When this issue is not addressed, most homeowners resort to turning up the heat. Energy is lost and the end result is reflected in your utility bills. Some window seals require the use of specialist tools to remove moisture from between the seal and window.
Another option to consider at this time is e-glass, double or even triple glazing to improve the heat seal between the outside and in.
Heater Health Check
When the temperature drops, the last thing you want is to discover that your heaters are not performing at maximum capacity, or not working at all. If you have a heating system, you may want to consider calling the HVAC specialists to see if the air conditioning needs a tune-up. Heating and cooling costs can contribute up to 40% of your utility bills, so it’s important to keep your system in top performance condition.
Homeowners who still have a fireplace will need to consider booking an annual chimney clean and check up, as chimneys to get creosote building up over the year, increasing the risk of a chimney fire if not cleaned. Chimney cleaners are relatively cheap although roof access and type of chimney may cause cost variations. Chimney sweeps perform a vital service that will help keep you toasty warm in winter. Don’t leave it too long between cleans.
Decking Oil
If you love your deck and want it to look like brand new when winter passes and the sun comes out again in spring, you may want to consider applying a coat of decking oil. Autumn is a great time to do this as the wood is dry from the past summer’s heat (moisture in the wood can make surface finishes pop or bubble) rather than springtime, after your deck has just experienced the wet winter weather. You can use oil or stain that changes the colour of your decking wood, or clear decking oil to maintain the original colour. The main purpose of applying decking oil in autumn is to act as a weather resistant coating that will help protect your deck during winter.
Clear Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture typically doesn’t serve any purpose once winter settles in. Besides, your furniture can suffer damage in cold and wet weather. Store whatever outdoor furniture you can so that it is protected from any severe weather conditions. It’ll last longer if you do.