Autumn is the right time to prepare your home for the colder months. Leaves start falling, so garden maintenance and clear gutters matter more, and damp patches often show up on walls as the weather turns wet. A few jobs now save you trouble (and money) in winter. Here are seven practical tips to prepare your home for autumn.
1. Make your home cosy
Autumn doesn't have to be grim. Get the throws and cushions out, and before the first cold spell, have your boiler serviced by a qualified engineer so it doesn't let you down in winter. Bleed the radiators, test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and if you have an open fire or wood burner, have the chimney swept before you light it.
You can enjoy the garden for longer with a fire pit on a dry evening. Keep it on a stable, non-flammable surface away from fences and trees, and never leave it unattended with children around. Small touches like this don't have to cost much.
2. Roof maintenance
Falling leaves quickly block gutters and downpipes, especially if you live near trees. Blocked gutters overflow and can push water into walls and fascias. Clear them once most leaves have fallen, ideally from a stable ladder with someone holding it, or have a professional do it. Roof maintenance before winter is also worth it: a roofer can replace slipped tiles and check flashing so you don't get leaks in the first storm.
3. Garden maintenance
A thin layer of leaves on borders is fine; it breaks down and feeds the soil. But thick layers on the lawn block light and leave yellow, bare patches. Rake leaves off the grass and either compost them or let them rot down into leaf mould for next year. That's why garden maintenance matters in autumn too.
What does a gardener typically do in the garden in autumn?
- Prune specific plants to get them ready for winter
- Prepare the pond: net it against leaves and keep a small area free of ice so gases can escape
- Prepare trees and shrubs for winter
- Maintain paving and fences and remove moss
- Clear leaves from the garden
4. Home insulation
Early autumn is a good time to look at how well your home holds its heat. Older houses lose a lot through roofs, walls, floors and old windows, which means more damp patches and higher heating bills. Fixing draughts around doors and windows is cheap and quick. For bigger gains, look at loft and wall insulation or high-efficiency double glazing, which is standard when you have uPVC window frames fitted. Better insulation also improves your home's energy rating.
5. Making your home sustainable
Can I make my home more sustainable? Yes. Options include a heat pump, solar panels and a regular boiler check. Autumn is a good time to plan: installers are often less busy than in spring, and you can have quotes ready for work in the new year. Start with insulation, as every other measure works better in a well-insulated home.
6. Winter painting
Hiring a painter in the colder months? Outdoor painting is best done in dry, mild weather, so get exterior work finished in early autumn. Indoor painting, though, can be done all winter. Painters are often less busy outside the summer season, which can make them easier to book and more flexible on price. Ask for quotes in autumn, and agree in writing what preparation and how many coats are included.
7. Enjoy your home
Once the jobs are done, take time to enjoy your home. If you do need help, you can request free quotes from several local tradespeople through Fixmycrib. Comparing quotes gives you a feel for fair prices and for which company you'd like to work with. Check reviews and insurance before you choose.
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