This article is written for DIY Direct by content and features writer Amy Jackson at Discount Promo Codes.

 

Autumn is a great time to get a few odd jobs done in the home. Whether it’s household repairs, cleaning or tidying up the garden, the milder weather means that we can comfortably get on with those tasks that will help our home ease the transition into winter. We’ve put together a list of household tasks that you can get started on this autumn, giving you more time to enjoy your home over the winter.

 

Get Your Boiler Serviced

 

While the summer months can be the best time to get your boiler serviced (often because engineers will be less busy and it’s a lot easier to cope without your heating!), if you haven’t ticked it off your list yet, there’s still plenty of time to do it. The autumn months can still be mild enough, meaning that if you do have to be without your boiler for any period of time it won’t be quite as bad as if you were without it in the winter. Let’s also not forget the obvious either - engineers and gas companies are likely to get busier over the next few months, so it’s best to get it sorted sooner rather than later.

 

Tidy Up Your Garden

 

There’s no doubt your garden will have had plenty of use over the summer, so as we enter the autumn it’s a good idea to give it a bit of TLC. Pull any weeds and remove dying plants, mow your lawn, clean your patio and garden furniture, and give your tools an MOT. If you have any power tools, now is a good time to give them a clean or perhaps even send them away for a service if needed. If any of your tools need upgrading, be sure to take a look at our range of outdoor and gardening tools to pick up your essentials ready for the next season.

 

Deep Clean Your House

 

We often think of deep cleaning as something we do in the spring, but the autumn can also be a great time to deep clean your house ready for the winter months. We’ll be spending a lot of time indoors over the next few months, so now is the best time to get things spruced up. Alongside your basic cleaning tasks, make sure that mattresses, carpets and appliances are cleaned, curtains are washed, mould is removed and windows are cleaned. Pick up everything you need from our selection of cleaning and housekeeping supplies, with essentials such as mould removers, paint and wallpaper cleaner, cloths, heavy duty bin liners and loads more.

 

Clean and Prepare Your Fireplace

 

For those of us lucky enough to have a fireplace to enjoy over the winter, now is the time to get things ready. Prepare the area by laying some newspaper and get rid of loose ashes using a broom and shovel. To remove any soot from bricks, do this using a wire brush and then clean off any excess with warm water and a little bicarbonate of soda.

 

Check/Install Outdoor Lighting

 

With the darker evenings setting in, outdoor lighting is going to be a must. If you already have outdoor lights installed, check that everything is in good working order ready for the darker months. Replace any bulbs if needed, or perhaps even look at installing some new outdoor lights if your current ones aren’t up to scratch anymore.

 

Bleed Your Radiators

 

It won’t be long before we start putting the heating on as the evenings get chillier, so make sure that your radiators are in good working order. Not only will you undoubtedly feel the benefits more, but if your radiators are running efficiently, this will also help you keep the costs down on your energy bills. Bleeding your radiators is one of the best ways to make sure they’re running smoothly, and it’s an easy task that can be done in just a few minutes. Can’t find your radiator key? Fear not - pick one up here!

 

Clear Out Rain Gutters

 

With wet weather being guaranteed in the upcoming months, getting your gutters cleaned is essential. Breakages and leaks can lead to bigger problems later on - drips running down your houses’ exterior masonry can subsequently lead to moisture coming through your internal walls, which is definitely what you don’t want in the winter. Remove moss, leaves and twigs, and get any broken guttering repaired if needed. Admittedly, it’s not the most fun task, but it’s worth doing! For any guttering repairs, try a guttering sealant or even replace whole sections of guttering.

 

Check Fire/Security Alarms

 

Again, with more of us spending time indoors over the upcoming months, doing basic checks on safety and security devices is a must to ensure the safety of everyone in your house. Check batteries are working in smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and security alarms and replace them if needed. Additionally, it can be a good idea to check over the overall security of your home - so check locks on doors and windows are in good working order too. If any locks need installing or replacing, we’ve got a whole range of products to help keep your home feeling safe and secure.

 

Insulate Your Home

 

Checking for draughts and sorting adequate insulation will not only ensure your home is kept toasty warm in the winter, but it’s also another good way to keep your energy bills down. Foam tape and shrink film is a quick and cost-effective way to insulate your windows but can easily help knock a few quid of your energy bills. Similarly, insulating your pipes can also be a useful way to reduce the amount of heat lost when you have your heating on during the winter. Take a look at our door and window seals to reduce draughts in your home.

 

Do the Jobs You’ve Put Off Over the Summer

 

Finally, now is the time to crack on with those annoying or unpleasant tasks you’ve put off over the summer. It’ll be easier to get on with the messier tasks and any outdoor repairs sooner rather than later - in fact, it may even be better as the weather will be milder! Similarly, if there’s any odd jobs within the home that need doing - such as DIY repairs and minor electrical tasks, get on with these too. Getting them sorted before the winter sets in will not only mean that it can stop further damage from happening, but more importantly, there’s more time for you to kick back and relax this winter!