Home Hibernation Prep
Owning or renting a house involves routine preparations at different times of the year. You have the classic spring cleaning frenzy and the pre-winter checks to hunker down for the weather, but what about autumn?
It's a season that can often fly under the radar. Not known for particularly drastic weather, it serves as the following act after summer and a precursor to winter. However, there are things you can do in autumn to get your house in the best possible shape, giving you more time to enjoy the hibernation season.
Check your Boiler & Radiators
This is usually associated with winter, but autumn can actually be a better time to give your boiler and radiators a health check. You may find that as winter deepens, plumbers and boiler replacement companies are fully booked. Everyone is in the same boat, turning their heating on after putting it off, only to have it fail! The same goes for other heating sources, such as log burners. Test your boiler earlier in the autumn season and consider getting it serviced if it's due. Stay one step ahead by bleeding your radiators early. That way, you'll enter the colder spells with the assurance that your heating won't let you down.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
While you might not be reaching for the heating just yet, it's worth giving your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors a once-over before you become reliant on more fuels in your home. This is often a forgotten task, but it's vital for the safety of you and your family.
Gardening
Autumn might not be the best time for getting all green-fingered, but it's the right time to prepare before winter arrives. With leaves shedding, keep on top of cleaning out gutters and drains to avoid winter clogs. Trim down any shrubs or bushes that might be at risk of weather damage and prepare any indoor areas (such as greenhouses or potting sheds) to start bringing some items inside to escape the cold. Waiting too late into the season can make these tasks more difficult due to a build-up of post-summer growth.
Inspect Your Roof
Autumn is known for its range of late-year sunshine as well as rainstorms. This season might make you notice that your roof isn't in the best condition. As the rain becomes more regular, you may notice damp patches on your ceiling. Leaving it too long can lead to disaster when winter arrives. Early in the season, inspect your roof (or have someone do it for you). Check for holes, broken tiles, or any other potential damage. This way, you'll have plenty of time to repair the roof before Christmas comes – no one wants to be fixing a roof in winter!
Home Security
Nobody wants to think about crime rates, but unfortunately, it's a fact of life. As days become darker and shorter, the risk can increase. Double-check your alarm systems, locks, gates, and any other security features your home may have. Hopefully, you won't need them, but as the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Autumn Clean
Yes, it's not just spring where this comes in handy! Autumn signals the turn of the year, and often, this comes with changing up the contents of your home. You might put away your summer clothes, garden furniture, and paddling pools, and start to bring out your thicker coats, blankets, and cozy decor. Before making the swap, give your house a deep clean. Consider donating or selling items you didn't use this year to make some extra space. Anything to freshen up the house and make room before Christmas! Having two 'seasonal cleans' in a year means the time in-between is usually easier to keep on top of the tasks.
It's a season that can often fly under the radar. Not known for particularly drastic weather, it serves as the following act after summer and a precursor to winter. However, there are things you can do in autumn to get your house in the best possible shape, giving you more time to enjoy the hibernation season.
Check your Boiler & Radiators
This is usually associated with winter, but autumn can actually be a better time to give your boiler and radiators a health check. You may find that as winter deepens, plumbers and boiler replacement companies are fully booked. Everyone is in the same boat, turning their heating on after putting it off, only to have it fail! The same goes for other heating sources, such as log burners. Test your boiler earlier in the autumn season and consider getting it serviced if it's due. Stay one step ahead by bleeding your radiators early. That way, you'll enter the colder spells with the assurance that your heating won't let you down.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
While you might not be reaching for the heating just yet, it's worth giving your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors a once-over before you become reliant on more fuels in your home. This is often a forgotten task, but it's vital for the safety of you and your family.
Gardening
Autumn might not be the best time for getting all green-fingered, but it's the right time to prepare before winter arrives. With leaves shedding, keep on top of cleaning out gutters and drains to avoid winter clogs. Trim down any shrubs or bushes that might be at risk of weather damage and prepare any indoor areas (such as greenhouses or potting sheds) to start bringing some items inside to escape the cold. Waiting too late into the season can make these tasks more difficult due to a build-up of post-summer growth.
Inspect Your Roof
Autumn is known for its range of late-year sunshine as well as rainstorms. This season might make you notice that your roof isn't in the best condition. As the rain becomes more regular, you may notice damp patches on your ceiling. Leaving it too long can lead to disaster when winter arrives. Early in the season, inspect your roof (or have someone do it for you). Check for holes, broken tiles, or any other potential damage. This way, you'll have plenty of time to repair the roof before Christmas comes – no one wants to be fixing a roof in winter!
Home Security
Nobody wants to think about crime rates, but unfortunately, it's a fact of life. As days become darker and shorter, the risk can increase. Double-check your alarm systems, locks, gates, and any other security features your home may have. Hopefully, you won't need them, but as the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Autumn Clean
Yes, it's not just spring where this comes in handy! Autumn signals the turn of the year, and often, this comes with changing up the contents of your home. You might put away your summer clothes, garden furniture, and paddling pools, and start to bring out your thicker coats, blankets, and cozy decor. Before making the swap, give your house a deep clean. Consider donating or selling items you didn't use this year to make some extra space. Anything to freshen up the house and make room before Christmas! Having two 'seasonal cleans' in a year means the time in-between is usually easier to keep on top of the tasks.