5 steps to get your home ready for Autumn
21 July 2023
The purpose of the following advice is to provide useful tips for our Customers and is not designed to replace professional advice. It does not necessarily deal with every aspect of a topic and if you are in any doubt, you should consult a qualified expert for their help. You should never attempt to carry out any activity which may put you or others at risk or which may cause damage to your or anyone else's property and the activities described must not be attempted by anyone under the age of 18.
Always read any manuals and safety instructions alongside the advice.
As the nights start to draw in, the weather takes a dip, and the first leaves begin to turn orange, we’ll all need to get our homes in order for the coming season. Thankfully, there are a few simple adjustments you can make to keep your home safe, warm, and inviting for Autumn.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled an Autumn home maintenance checklist of five tasks to get your home shipshape before the cold hits.
1. Get your boiler checked
Did you know all your gas appliances should be serviced and inspected annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer? In fact, Autumn is the perfect time of year to do this, as it's the period you’ll typically be using your boiler more and notice issues.
If you’re a Places for People Customer, we’ll make an appointment for you each year and send you a notification by post. It’s important that you keep this appointment or contact us to rearrange it.
If you notice any issues with your boiler prior to your appointment, please contact us regardless of your service date.
2. Bleed your radiators
Now that your boiler is ready for the colder seasons, it’s time to get the rest of your heating system in order. A great way to do this is by rebalancing your radiators.
Over time, your radiators can develop air bubbles that cause cold sections within your heating system. To avoid this and ensure your radiators are working to their full potential, try following our steps to bleeding your radiators.
3. Tidy up your garden
Your lawn might look like it’s stopped growing in the Autumn, but its roots are growing deeper to prepare for Winter - give it a final cut to keep it looking neat over the next few months before retiring your lawnmower.
Prune your trees and shrubs as soon as the leaves begin to turn orange, it will encourage healthy growth. Make sure to trim any tree branches that are close to power lines or your roof, as these can cause unnecessary risks and potential damage to your home.
But remember, always take the correct safety precautions when doing this, and if you feel you’re not up to the challenge, reach out for help from Places for People via our reporting a repair system.
4. Test your carbon monoxide alarm
Autumn is the season when many of us start turning on the heating and lighting the fireplace. So, it’s important to test all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they’re working properly.
As we all know, having a broken smoke alarm is extremely dangerous. But did you know that a broken carbon monoxide alarm could also be deadly? Carbon monoxide is a clear, scentless gas which can be lethal if left undetected, so it’s vital to have your carbon monoxide alarm in working order.
To ensure your alarms are working, check they're installed to the manufacturer’s instructions and the units are working by pressing the ‘test’ buttons. If you find your alarm isn’t working, do not try to fix it yourself. Instead, report it to our customer support immediately and we’ll be happy to help.
5. Make sure your home is energy efficient
Did you know a good part of your heating could be escaping through leaks and drafts in windows and doors? To avoid unnecessary waste and keep your heating bills low, check gaps, cracks, and leaks around your home.
Start by checking all your windows and door frames and note any drafts around the edges. If you find one, there are a few different options you can employ to solve the issue. Firstly, invest in a draft excluder, you can find them in most homeware stores or online retailers, and they come in an array of styles to fit your decor. Secondly, install weather stripping around the frame, this will keep chilly air out and warm air in without the need for major DIY. Finally, for a sturdier solution, caulk around the frame.
In conclusion
Keeping your home running efficiently all year can be tricky, especially if there’s a dramatic change in season. However, with a few simple tasks, you can keep your home ticking along smoothly. If you’re turning on your radiators for the first time in a while, why not check out our blog on how to bleed a radiator?
If you need to cancel or rearrange your boiler check appointment, you can do this by calling 01772 666 091 in England and Wales or 0131 657 0600 in Scotland.
We hope you found these tips helpful, and if you would like to discover more home tips, why not check out our other articles on My Place?