September is the perfect month to start getting your ducks in a row. That new school year feeling never really goes away, no matter how old we are. But now, instead of making sure we have the new syllabus in hand and sharp pencils at the ready, we make sure our homes are organised and safe for the new season ahead.
Doing a quick, and I really do mean quick, once-over of all your household essentials can ensure you’re prepared for anything winter might throw at you. By sacrificing just a few minutes now, you could save yourself from some expensive repair bills down the line. And with stormy weather on the horizon, thanks to the El Nino phenomenon, it really has never been so pertinent.
So here are the key tasks you need to tackle this September for an effective ‘house audit’. It should take you just 30 minutes.
1. Find the off switch
First things first, check on the basic essentials. The things that, should they malfunction, would really put a damper on your weekend. Locate and test the stopcock, boiler isolation switch, fuse box and individual valves for the washing machine, dishwasher and outdoor tap.
The point is not just knowing where they are, but checking they are accessible and not stiff or impossible to turn. As temperatures drop, complications could become more likely, and a small leak could become a major emergency if you can’t shut the water off quickly. While you’re at it, take the opportunity to label anything confusing before you need it in a panic, and to help the rest of your household should you be away in a time of trouble.
2. Look for hidden leaks
Leaks are one of the most common, and most catastrophic, household issues, so best to get ahead of them. Check beneath sinks, behind the toilet, around radiator valves, behind the washing machine and dishwasher, inside bathroom cupboards and around the hot water cylinder.
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Look for swollen cabinet bases, green or white corrosion, peeling paint, water marks, musty smells or unusually damp areas. These are the early signs of a slow leak, which is far cheaper to fix than the mould, rotten flooring or damaged plaster that can follow.
3. Test your house’s breath-work
A funny title, I know, but I caught your attention right? Damp, mould and condensation are winter villains that can wreak havoc, so testing how well your home deals with them now will save you the stress later, when they’ve already set in.
Rather than simply wiping away condensation, check whether moisture has a way out. Turn on bathroom and kitchen extractor fans and hold a piece of toilet paper near them to see whether they’re drawing air. Make sure trickle vents and air bricks aren’t blocked, and move furniture slightly away from cold external walls.
Poor ventilation heading into winter can turn ordinary cooking, showering and drying laundry into persistent damp and mould, potentially leading to a specialist call-out or costly remedial work.
4. Inspect flood prevention
Before the autumn rain really sets in, take a quick look at the areas designed to keep water away from your home. Check external air bricks, drain grates, gullies and the base of your walls, clearing away any leaves, soil or overgrown plants that could be blocking them. While you’re there, look for crumbling mortar, bubbling paint, damp patches or a tide mark running along the outside wall.
It’s easy to focus on the roof when thinking about rain damage, but water collecting around the base of your home can cause just as many problems. Blocked air bricks can reduce subfloor ventilation, while water sitting against walls may contribute to damp, timber decay and frost damage as temperatures drop.
5. Check seals and joints that summer may have exposed
Summer – especially the boiling one we’ve just had — can do a number on our homes. Prolonged heat and dry weather can cause sealant to dry out, shrink or crack, revealing little gaps and weak spots that may need some TLC before the wetter months arrive.
Inspect the sealant around window frames, doors, baths, showers, sinks and kitchen worktops. Look out for anything cracked, lifting, blackened or brittle, as well as gaps around pipes and joints where materials may have shifted or shrunk in the heat.
These are easy-to-miss entry points for rain and draughts, but catching failed sealant now could prevent water getting behind plaster, flooring or cabinetry once the autumn rain and wind arrive.
6. Assess your equipment
Accidents and disasters can happen, no matter how careful we are. The difference between a minor mishap and a full-blown, expensive problem is often how quickly you can respond, so this is the moment to make sure your basic household equipment is ready for winter.
Start with the heating and appliances you’ll rely on most. Check the boiler display for warning messages, look at the pressure gauge and inspect the visible condensate pipe for damage or poor insulation. Clean the tumble dryer filter and vent, and check behind large appliances for dust, crushed cables or signs of overheating.
It’s also worth making sure you have a torch with spare batteries, a basic screwdriver set, pliers, an adjustable spanner, a radiator key, insulating tape and a pair of protective gloves in an easy-to-reach place. Keep a bucket and old towels nearby, too: they’re not glamorous, but they can make dealing with a small leak far less stressful while you wait for help.
