Last week we looked at the top five jobs that you should get done before winter hits. These tend to be outdoors jobs, which need to be finished before it becomes too cold or wet. Here are the five next most important jobs to get ticked off your to-do list this month.
- Check the heating. It happens every year: there’s a cold snap, everyone puts their heating on, and the unlucky few realise that the heating isn’t working properly. Even if you have the number of a tried and tested plumber on speed dial, if you wait until the coldest day of the year to call them, you can guarantee that they won’t be free for a while. Get your boiler serviced now so that you can make sure you enter the cooler months without any nasty surprises.
- Sweep your chimney. Like the boiler service, the chimney sweep is something that should be part of your annual routine. You might be super organised and have had your chimney swept at the beginning of spring, but you still need to get it swept now. A build up of soot isn’t your only risk; birds’ nests and other debris could be lurking in the chimney. Don’t forget to order a load of well-seasoned mixed wood, too.
- Check your roof. Now is the time to have a quick look at your roof and see if you can spot any cracked, damaged or missing tiles. If you notice damage, contact a trusted roofer ASAP – remember, ask for at least two quotes for complete peace of mind.
- Clear the guttering. While you’re on the roof, have a look at your guttering and clear out dirt, moss, leaves and any other debris. If you notice any damaged guttering, get it checked out by a professional before heavy rains arrive.
- Insulation. If you don’t have adequate loft insulation, now is the time to think about it as you will see an immediate saving on your heating bills. Insulation isn’t just good for your wallet, it’s good for the environment and is an easy, low-cost way of you reducing your carbon footprint.
If you get those ten jobs done by mid-autumn, you will be well and truly ready for even the coldest winter! If your home maintenance to-do list is dauntingly long, why not call a trusted handyman (or woman) to come and do multiple jobs for you? It will save you time and could prevent long-term damage to your property.
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