Autumn Checklist: Getting Your Home Ready for the Autumn

Summer may be proving rather disappointing weather-wise, but that means there’s all the more reason to be turning our thoughts towards the autumn and getting our homes primed and ready for the colder months.

September can still provide plenty of clear and balmy days, while October tends to bring the crisper, chillier mornings and perhaps even the first frosts.

Whether you’re planning on selling your home, already have it on the market with us or are staying put for now, we all need to check our properties are in good shape for the autumn and winter. This is definitely the time to do it because you don’t want to be caught out during that first cold snap!

At Keywest we’ve seen what can happen when a home isn’t looked after over the autumn and winter, so here’s a handy checklist of maintenance jobs you should be thinking about over the next few weeks.

Check Your Boiler

Too many people wait until the first cold spell before firing up their boiler, when you should really check it’s in good working order well in advance. You might not want the heating in mid-September, but getting your boiler serviced not only ensures it’s at the top of its game safety-wise, but you can be confident you’ll have instant heat the first time you feel the chill set in.

Tidy Up the Front Garden

Particularly if you’re thinking of selling or letting your property, ensure you keep the front garden looking tidy. Cut back any dead growth, keep the path clear of those mulchy autumn leaves and make sure there’s no overhanging foliage which is going to make getting up the path difficult.

Check Your Gutters

Falling leaves can build up and block gutters, which then overflow and can cause leaks and damp problems. Get out the ladders or send a professional up to see they’re clean at the start of the season, and try to stay on top of it once the autumn begins. Also, check for guttering which has been cracked or damaged by bad weather – October and November are notorious for high winds, so keep an eye out!

Draught-Proof Your Home

If you’re showing people around your house or simply want to stay nice and warm yourselves over the autumn and winter, look for draughts and block them. Windows, doors, loft hatches and joints around pipes can all let in the chilly air. Invest in draught excluders for doors, and consider applying self-adhesive foam strips to windows to seal in as much warm air as possible.

Thinking of putting your house on the market before autumn really sets in? Get on top of these maintenance jobs and contact the experts at Keywest by calling us on 01162 544 555 or 01162 544 543.