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

Autumn is on it's way and with it comes some unpredictable weather. Strong winds & heavy rain can cause some 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.

7 top tips for autumn

1. Clean your gutters

Gutters are responsible for draining water that falls off the exterior walls of your home, and protecting against damage. Blockages can cause serious problems, so it’s important you check your guttering before all the leaves start to fall in autumn ensuring it's straight and free from leaves, nests and any other debris.

Should you need to clear any blockages, we have all the equipment you need for drain clearance, inspection and maintenance.

2. Check your roof

Loose slates and damaged roofs can cause leaks, draughts and other problems. It’s easier to rectify any problems while the weather is still relatively warm and dry. If you have a flat roof, ensure it’s free from any debris. Visit hss.com for ladders or platforms and remember to stay safe when working at height.

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

3. Got draughts?

It’s worth checking your whole house for draughts. Not doing so may end up with you 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. Window draughts, for example, can be helped with the use of heavier curtains. Similarly, door sweeps can work well or draught-proof gaskets for plug sockets.

4. Check your central heating system

If your boiler breaks down in the middle of a cold winter, it’s no laughing matter. Check your boiler is working properly, and if necessary, get a professional to check and service it. 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.

Check out our central heating flushers which can clean your heating system and improve the flow rate in pipes and radiators.

5. Store away garden furniture

Autumn can bring with it some pretty unpredictable weather. Strong winds and storms can displace your garden furniture, especially if they’re not properly secured. Think of everything in your garden which isn’t in a fixed position and consider ways to protect them from damage. You can either store these items in a sheltered area, such as a shed or garage during extreme weather, or you can cover and secure them. This will ensure that they don’t become damaged, or a hazard during strong winds.

As well as patio furniture make sure that you move any potted plants into a sheltered area so that they don’t get blown over and damaged in a storm.

6. Make sure your fencing is secure

If you have a fence then you’ll want to make sure it is secure before it’s too late. If a strong wind exposes 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.

To prevent your fence from rotting make sure you coat in in a preservative at least every two years. A rotted fence will offer little protection from the strong winds so it may be a good time to re-coat your fence if you haven’t in a while.

7. Be cautious of tree branches

If you have any overhanging branches which you think could become hazardous in extreme weather then you’ll need to address this before any strong winds.

Firstly make sure you clear any valuables out of the way of suspect branches. If the branches are small and can be dealt with a hedge trimmer then you can tidy it up yourself. However, if you have any doubts make sure you contact a professional as it can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Get in touch

If you need any tools and equipment to help with your autumn home or garden jobs, get in touch with our live chat team or pop in to your local HSS branch.