Our Autumn Season has arrived and traditionally September is a month of transition when we start to put away our summer gear (if we were lucky to get one) and prepare for the cooler Irish weather. Leaves have started falling from the trees and your garden or driveway can become very cluttered with as they continue to build up.
September is for sure a busy month for home maintenance, especially if you live in a location with a lot of wind and rain.... Which are most regions in Ireland! So, we believe it's important to get the outdoor tasks tackled before the weather gets too bad. Some tasks you may not be able to get done yourself, so you may need book your chimney sweep, boiler service and roof/gutter cleaner as soon as you can if you need to.
In addition to professional servicing, we have identified some easy home maintenance DIY tasks you can do yourself to make sure you are getting your home Autumn ready.
Autumn Home Maintenance Checklist
- Clear roof & gutter from leaves if you are capable of reaching & it is safe to do so. Never put your safety at risk.
- Test your smoke alarms & carbon monoxide detectors. Keep a supply of batteries to fi these, just in case too and always ensure they are in the most suitable places.
- Take a shopping trip and stock up on all your Winter supplies essentials e.g., candles, batteries, flashlight etc.
- Check for air leaks in the attic, windows, and doors. Drafts can cause unneeded heat loss in your house and by sealing or repairing will help reduce your energy bills in the process.
- Trim back any flowering plants you may have, get them ready for regrowth in the Spring.
- Lay mulch to prepare for the Winter frost, this will help your foliage greatly.
- Check any outdoor pipes to ensure they are free from obstruction & not damaged. If they are obstructed, if you cannot clear yourself, get a professional in to look at.
- Prune your shrubs or small trees that may be near the house.
- Clean and prepare the fireplace for Winter, you are going to need it as the temperatures drop. Also check the chimney to make sure it’s not blocked.
- Inspect your fire extinguishers and make sure they are in full working order.
- Check walkways, railings, stairs, and the driveway for winter safety. Clear away any debris, foliage or anything that may be a slip or fall hazard.
These are just some easy DIY tasks which you can get done to ensure that your home is ready for Autumn. As we are all well aware, it can be sunny, rainy, windy and everything in between all in the same day in September, so we really do have daily weather for all seasons in our beautiful little country.
This checklist will help make that transition from Summer that little bit easier and help prepare your property, not just for Autumn but also the impending Winter that looms ahead and the colder months.
