Why you need to stop putting off household jobs

AS summer approaches the longer, brighter days start to reveal the neglect your house and garden have hidden through the cooler months. We’ve partnered with hipages to show you nine ways to prepare your pad for summer.

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Many Aussies don’t seem to register that a solid spring tidy-up is in order until days before their Christmas guests are due to descend.

Most people delay repairs, maintenance and renovations because they don’t have enough time. While many people are busy with work and family, the trick is to get cracking on the most popular and important seasonal jobs now because they will only be harder to tackle closer to the silly season. Whether you are bringing in the professionals or you’re into DIY here are nine house and garden areas which need most attention in spring and summer. 1. Air conditioning When you treat your air conditioner to regular maintenance, it will keep you comfortable and save you money. It will also last longer. The average lifespan of an air conditioner is from 10 to 20 years, but some, with regular maintenance can last up to 30 years. 2. Window cleaning Like cleaning your car or brushing your teeth, the key to keeping windows and outdoor surfaces looking brand new is regular and thorough cleaning. “The longer you leave dirt and mould on glass or paintwork, the harder it will be to clean and it will be harder to return to its original state,” says window and exteriors cleaner Ashley Richards. The same goes for oil stains on driveways and shower screens. His tip for keeping shower screens shiny: use white vinegar and water. 3. Gardening You may have the garden of your dreams, but to keep it that way regular maintenance is important and it’s also cost effective, says landscaper and horticulturalist Lisa Ellis. “You can spend more money to play catch-up than on maintenance,” she said. For instance hedges and shrubs that are not pruned, fed and watered properly may need to be pulled out and replaced. Warmer weather, particularly when coupled with heavy rainfall, can bring on a growth spurt. But if you are planning to call a gardener to tackle those weeds, lawns and bushes then get cracking at they are flat-out until Christmas. 4. Gutters If you’re in a bushfire prone area, keeping your gutters clear of leaf litter in summer is essential. But even if you’re not, taking the time to clear gutters before they are too full will save you time and money fixing leaking roofs or replacing rusted gutters. Gutter guards are a simple and inexpensive way to prevent leaf litter from building up too quickly. 5. Rubbish Clear out everything that no longer serves a purpose in your house, garden, garage and sheds. If there is no council clean up scheduled, a good skip bin company can give you a hand to get rid of all that stuff you have been hoarding for a little too long. A clear house is a clear mind, and what better way to kick off a new season - and tidy up for Christmas guests - than with a fresh start. 6. Build a deck The silly season is nearly upon us and the idea of alfresco dining is becoming more appealing. What better way to spend your spring days than on a freshly laid deck. Costs will depend on the size of the area and the type of material you use, ranging from $200 to $1000 a square metre. After you’ve mowed your lawn and pruned your garden, consider a deck addition in your yard. There are a range of DIY decking options available at hardware stores but a decking specialist or builder can advise on what type of deck will work for your space. Throw in a new table, chairs and an umbrella for shade and you have a whole new living area for summer. 7. Swimming pool The family with a pool is always the most popular in the neighbourhood. But of course maintaining a pool, and the safety fence around it, takes a bit of work. Having a pool means routinely checking that it is up to industry standards, so the water is clean enough to swim in. As well as regular cleaning, swimming pools need the water topped up, the filter maintained. You might even consider installing solar heating so you can swim all year round. 8. Pest control As the weather warms up, the creepy crawlies come out in force. It is a good time to have your home assessed for other vermin such as cockroaches, bed bugs and ant infestations. There are times when a do-it-yourself pest control job is feasible - it’s about knowing when it’s safe for you to try it and when it’s time to call in the experts. Pest control services can use products and strong chemicals that are not detrimental to the health of your family. Some pest control services advertise themselves as green, eco, pet or family friendly. The mozzies and flies are also multiplying and you probably are cursing that you never had those fly screens installed or repaired. It’s not too late to collect some quotes and keep those creatures out this summer. 9. Bushfire preparation If you live in a bushfire prone area, preparation can make all the difference. Remove as much fuel from around your house. This includes: cleaning guttering, pruning branches that overhang the house, clearing fallen leaves from under trees, mowing and raking the lawn regularly, removing log piles that may be next to the house and replacing damaged roof tiles so there are no gaps for the fire to get into. Fitting windows and doors with wire screens can also prevent embers from entering the house. These tips are brought to you by News Corp Australia in partnership with hipages.

Originally published as Why you need to stop putting off household jobs