In brief
Prioritise the jobs that manage water and daylight first: clear rainwater routes, inspect rooflines from the ground, clean the glass and make slippery paths safe. Then move indoors for heating checks, ventilation and a deeper clean before the house is closed up for winter.
01
Give rainwater a clear route.
Start with gutters, outlets and visible downpipes. Fallen leaves can turn a small restriction into an overflow once sustained rain arrives. Watch the system from ground level during a shower and note any water escaping at joints or running down brickwork.
Sweep leaves away from gullies and drains too. Norwich City Council undertakes seasonal leaf clearance on public streets, but leaves on your own paths and drainage points remain part of looking after the property.
02
Inspect before the short days arrive.
Use daylight to look over roof tiles, chimney pots, exterior sealant, fences and sheds from a safe position. Check outside lights and replace failed bulbs before dark evenings make the job inconvenient. Book a qualified specialist for anything electrical, structural or at height.
- Photograph anything you want to compare after the next storm
- Check exterior taps and exposed pipework before freezing weather
- Clear leaves from paths before they become wet and slippery
- Test smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms following their instructions
03
Make the most of autumn light.
Clean windows make a noticeable difference once daylight becomes scarce. An eight-weekly round carries many homes through autumn without allowing road film, pollen and rain marks to build up. Frames and sills deserve attention as well as the glass.
Inside, wipe condensation from panes and keep trickle vents clear where fitted. Persistent condensation may need better ventilation or specialist advice rather than simply more cleaning.
04
Deal with slippery paving early.
Algae and shaded damp can make a patio, step or front path slippery. Regular sweeping helps, but established growth may need controlled pressure washing and treatment. Frame Fresh confirms pressure-washing prices from photographs, with guide pricing of £3.50 to £5 per square metre and a £120 minimum.
05
Reset the rooms you use most.
Autumn is a useful point for a deeper kitchen and bathroom clean, dusting radiators before they are used regularly and clearing the edges of rooms that become harder to reach once winter furniture and decorations appear.
For households wanting help throughout the darker months, regular domestic cleaning is available weekly, fortnightly or monthly from £25 per hour with a two-hour minimum. Rental owners and agents preparing a property between occupancies can use the separate end-of-tenancy service with completion photographs.
