Your Autumn Home Checklist
With autumn being a season of change, you’ve probably noticed that your home is looking a little worse for wear. After all, spending time outside during the summer often means that we forget to take a look at the very bricks and mortar that’s holding it altogether.
We know that there are always those jobs you want to leave until the last minute, but getting on top of your home maintenance now will ensure you don’t have any dramas come winter.
Every man’s home is his castle and the last thing you want is to be paying out costly repair charges when it could have been prevented with a little TLC in the first place.
Knowing the issues that ourselves and many of our customers have faced over the years, means that we know a thing or two about getting prepared.
We’ve created an autumn home checklist so that you can set aside time to maintain your property in the most effective way possible.
Get all the outside jobs done first, and you won’t be fumbling around with frost bitten fingers come winter.
Book a Service
Your boiler is no doubt going to be put through it’s paces once the cold weather hits, and a breakdown will be the worst possible scenario for you and your family.
Don’t let your home become vulnerable to the cold, book a central heating service as soon as possible rather than waiting for the worst to happen.
Ideally it’s best to book your service in the summer months, as many people rush to get it done when they know that winter is just around the corner.
Heating engineers get really busy at the beginning of winter, so it really is essential that you don’t leave it until the last minute.
Checkout your local traders on reputable websites to ensure that you hire a professional who can notify you of any foreseeable issues.
Stop the Drafts
Draught proofing your home now will ensure that you can live in warm comfort during the cold months, but don’t stop at the usual spots.
Repairing any windows and doors will maintain the longevity of them as well as ensuring that these weak spots of draughts can be eliminated.
We think you can never go too far in draught proofing, because there’s nothing worse than a cold chill creeping into your home.
Cover letter boxes, fit thick curtains on windows and around doors, and you can feel rest assured that you can hibernate away in your home without the threat of cold air getting in.
Check the Walls
When we all lead such busy lives it’s very rare that we actually stop and look at the outside of our property, unless there’s something glaringly different.
But taking the time to vet your exterior walls will give you the chance to spot any crack that may cause issues later on.
Water can find it’s way into the smallest of spaces and once turned into ice can cause more damage. Foliage and any plants can also cause problems by disrupting the insulation, so don’t let it have a home on your property.
Getting these small problems dealt with as soon as possible is the best way forward, and if you don’t feel confident enough to fix it yourself, then hire a professional tradesman who can do the job for you.
Whatever you do, just don’t leave it and wait for it to become a bigger problem than it is.
Insulate Everything
Insulation is a home owners best friend during winter, so stock up on it now and double check that your loft insulation is completely covered.
For the best possible result your loft insulation should be at least 270mm, but don’t forget to leave space around the roof to let in the air for ventilation.
Adding tin foil to the back of your radiators will also ensure that the heat it kicks out will stay within the room and not be penetrated into the cold walls.
Every little helps when it comes to insulation, so focus on the weakest points of your home that are known for cold patches and work your way from there, checking each room.
Clear it All
Gutters, drains and gullies should all be cleared of stray leaves and debris before the winter.
With torrential rain a common occurrence in the UK, flooding is more often a reality than snow, but water can cause many problems for your property.
If your gutter has a leak and is causing water to drip down your property, the water can soak into brick, stone and timber. In good condition they will resist the damp, but if they become soaked over long periods of time they may allow water into the house.
Take the time to carefully check your guttering and ensure you have a helping hand to avoid any ladder accidents.
With fifteen years in the glazing industry we can help to repair any doors or windows during your autumn home maintenance.
For further information on how we can help, contact our knowledgeable team today.