Autumn Is Here! 5 Exterior Maintenance Tips To Do Before Winter

Autumn is the period of time that we all love in some way, shape, or form, but while the weather is still warm and mild for the most part, there’s a secret I should let you in on.
It’s not the changing colours of leaves or the harvest, but rather the heightened responsibility as a homeowner to stay one step ahead of the game regarding your home exterior’s maintenance.
Autumn is the last stop before winter (A very unrelenting season not only for its temperature, but also its dormancy phase) so you don’t want to leave any stone unturned that could cost you unnecessary time and money, nor do you ever want to be in a position where you are unprepared during winter that stops you from getting off on the right foot in Spring.
All that being said, if you are looking to gain some ground on your home exterior maintenance, here are 5 Autumn maintenance tips that you should follow!

1. Check Your Gutters for blockages

Gutters clogged with leaves is a common, non-emergency issue, but it can be one if you don’t clean them out! Clogged gutters can cause exterior water damage, as well as invite some unwelcome guests such as pests, rodents, and mold.

Leaves become very heavy and wet sitting in gutters, so do not mess around when it comes to your Autumn gutter cleaning. It is best to not do this yourself, considering it requires ladders, and anytime you climb a ladder there are safety risks. If you have a large amount of trees close to your house and leaf fall is an ongoing issue we recommend speaking to your local Wash Rite team about installing a gutter foam product.

2. Inspect Your Roof

Inspect your roof with the help of a professional! DIY roof inspections is not recommended due to risk of falls and serious injury. The surface of your roof is fragile and vulnerable to the elements that can invite the growth of mould, moss.

Typically, a roof soft wash is used in the cleaning process. Consult with your local Wash Rite team to assess your situation. Your local Wash Rite team can inspect your roof and give you the right course of action to clean it, they will even take photos of any structure issue you may need a roofing company to look at in the future.

3. Treat Pathways and Driveways.

During the Autumn and Winter months as rain fall levels increase and daylight hours reduce the growth of algae and mould on pathways, driveways and decking increase massively which cause a slip hazard as this growth is naturally slippery. A quick treatment by your local. Wash Rite can remove and prevent the return of the algae and mould over the Autumn and Winter periods. As your Wash Rite team about this service when they treat your roof for moss and mould as its the same process and you will save money getting them done at the same time.

4. Softwash Your House.

This one is one that is often overlooked, but an important one to consider! Exterior cladding material on your house no matter what material it is made out of needs cleaning every now and then, and depending on local temperatures in your area, you may need more or less!

Dirt, discoloration, mold, moss, algae, etc., and a host of other unwelcome things can grow on your siding and cause significant damage if not addressed in a timely manner.

Soft washing siding is a low-pressure use of water and a cleaning solution that will get the job done in a quick and efficient manner, but it is essential that you know the safety guidelines to operate a pressure washer beforehand as there are safety risks in doing so.

That being said, it is easy to play it safe and contact a local Wash Rite team to assess your situation and offer the best solution. With the amount of time, you’ll need to soft wash, most likely not too much, it best to hire a professional to service you!

5. Flush Out Downpipes.

One of the most common things that home owners forget about is the down pipes, Having clean gutters is great but if your down pipes are blocked than clean gutters makes no difference.

Having your local Wash Rite team around for a gutter clean also gives you the security that they will always ensure all your down pipes are flushed and clear from blockages from the gutters to ground level, They can also check if the drainage pipes are blocked and let you know to contact your local plumber to unblock the underground pipes.

Final Word:

While the Autumn maintenance checklist is different when compared to the spring checklist, or the winter checklist, at the end of the day the type of home maintenance is relatively the same.


With cold weather looming, it’s important to also pay close attention to places where heat escapes your home. That being said, if you need help with your gutters, be sure to reach out to our teams at Wash Rite