When the autumn months roll around your house will be recovering from the hot Australian summer. To maintain your home year-round, it’s important to give your home the TLC it needs. If you’d like to prepare for the change of season but don’t know where to begin, we’ve put together a list of essential tips and tasks.
- Clean out gutters
Falling leaves are the first thing we think of when someone says ‘autumn’. They may be beautiful to look at – but leaves and debris will clog your gutters, potentially causing overflow and water damage to your home when it rains. To prevent any nasty flooding, make sure you clean your gutters well before the first leaves start to fall.
- Check for draughts
Autumn is a great time to get prepared for the cooler months by assessing your home for leaks and draughts. One way to do this is to put a little cold water on your hand and hold it against the suspected leak. This will make it easier to feel if any air is coming through.
Another trick is to hold a piece of toilet paper or a candle about 5cm from windows and doorframes. If the flame bends or the paper flutters, you’ll have proof there’s a draught.
You might also like to contact a professional draught tester to evaluate your home.
- Get your heating sorted
There’s nothing better than snuggling up by a heater or fire in the cooler months, getting prepared early means that you won’t risk freezing on that first chilly night.
Clean out fireplaces and woodburning stoves so they’re ready to go. If you’re planning on installing a new heating system or your current one needs maintenance, do this with plenty of time to spare.
- Check smoke detectors
Whether or not you have a fireplace, it’s a good idea to check your smoke detectors are working and replace any batteries. Add this to your list of tasks to protect your home and family.
- Plant flowering bulbs for spring
You may think of autumn as a time for harvesting and slowing down, but there are a few things you can do in the garden to get ahead for spring. Autumn is the time to plant bulbs like daffodils, tulips and irises. By the time the frost thaws, you’ll have a garden full of flowers.
- Fertilise your lawns
Your lawn might look a little worse for wear after summer, so apply a good quality fertilizer to give it a boost. This will restore essential nutrients, prevent weeds from cropping up and ensure the grass stays lush and healthy through the frosty months.
A home for every season
Our homes are designed for trans-seasonal living so that you can enjoy them in summer, autumn, winter and spring. Staying on top of maintenance means that you’ll get the best out of your property all year round.