7 Top Tips to Get Your Home & Garden Ready For Autumn

Autumn is on it's way!

With the new season comes some unpredictable weather.

Strong winds & heavy rain can cause some issues & damage to our homes and garden so it's important we plan ahead and prepare for it.

Here are 7 top tips on how to get your home and garden ready for autumn

Clean your gutters

Our gutters are responsible for collecting rainwater from the roof & stopping it from falling off the exterior walls of our homes.

If your gutters have a blockage, it can cause serious problems such as:

• structural & ceiling damage
• leaks
• damp
• rot & decay to the fascia

& much more, so it’s important you check your guttering for leaves, nests and any other debris before autumn arrives.

Should you need to clear any blockages, we have all the equipment you need from ladders, gloves, buckets and trowels.

Whilst you're up there, check your roof

Loose slates and damaged roofs can cause leaks, draughts and other problems.

It’s easier to sort out any problems while the weather is still relatively warm and dry.

At HSS DIY, you can buy or hire ladders or platforms to help you safely access your roof before autumn comes around.

Please only carry out any roof work if you are qualified to do so. Call a professional roofer for any jobs you may have.

Got draughts?

Feel a bit of a breeze through your windows and doors?

It’s worth checking your house for draughts.

Not doing so might mean you end up paying more for your heating than you need to.

Windows, doors, attics, chimneys, cellars, electrical sockets and lighting fixtures are common places where draughts tend to occur.

A lot of the time, small draughts can be fixed easily.

You can invest in longer, heavier curtains, sealant, filler, self-adhesive draught excluders, door seals, draught excluders and more to keep your home nice and cosy.

Check your central heating system

Just picture it. You've just got home after a cold day. Turn on the central heating and...nothing. Your boiler's broken down in the middle of the chilly season.

Not what you need!

Checking your boiler is working properly is necessary to keep it from breaking down when you need it the most. It’s more cost effective than having to pay for a brand new boiler later on.

It’s also a great time to check and bleed all of your radiators too.

Taking care of your central heating doesn't have to be a chore. We've put together a handy blog that can help you identify strange boiler smells, cleaning the central heating system & more.

Store away garden furniture

Autumn weather can be a bit unpredictable.

Bad weather can displace your garden furniture and other things in your garden, especially if they’re not stored away or secured down.

Before the weather changes from glorious sunshine to strong winds and storms, think of everything in your garden that needs protecting & consider ways to keep them safe from damage.

You can either store your belongings in your shed or garage during extreme weather. If you don't have either of those outdoor buildings, you can take your things in to your home if they are able to fit.

If you can't move the things in your garden, you can cover and secure them with a tarpaulin.

Make sure your fencing is secure

If you have a fence in your garden then you’ll want to make sure it is secure before autumn arrives.

If a strong wind blows down your unsecured fencing then you’re going to be left with reduced privacy/security, a bill to pay for replacement and potential damage to the rest of your garden.

If you find any of your fences are loose then you’ll need to ensure they are replaced or properly fixed.

You can follow our guide on how to erect a fence if you are comfortable with DIY, or call a professional instead.

Be cautious of tree branches

If you have any overhanging branches, you’ll need to address this before any strong winds get here.

Firstly, make sure you clear any valuables out of the way of the branches.

If the branches are small and can be dealt with a hedge trimmer then you can tidy it up yourself.

However, if the branches are larger, or if you have any doubts about cutting them yourself, make sure you contact a professional who can do it for you instead.

Get your home and garden autumn ready with HSS DIY.

The change of the seasons can sometimes be damaging to our homes & gardens so it's important we keep looking after them all year round.

Autumn is rainy & windy. Mould, structural damage and leaks are just some of the problems caused by the weather.

If you need any tools and equipment to help with your autumn home or garden prep, shop online at HSS DIY. You can also get in touch with our live chat team, who are on hand and happy to help.