The Christmas countdown has well and truly begun and the New Year is almost upon us – so it’s a good time to start thinking about those DIY and maintenance jobs that’ll make your home fit for visitors. PETER BARRON suggests six tasks to consider:

1. Clear the garden

It’s that time of year when fallen leaves and dead plants make the garden look tired and messy. The temptation is not to worry about it and avoid looking out of the window but all you need is a rake and a recycling bin to give the garden a good tidy up.

2. Clean out the gutters

Those wet, dead leaves get everywhere and, when they block up the gutters, they can cause havoc with your draining system. Don’t take the risk of problems building up. Get up there yourself if you’re confident enough, or get an expert in to get those gutters clear.

3. Give your garden furniture and fencing some TLC

Garden furniture, fencing and decking all need extra attention during the winter months as extreme weather causes cracks in the wood. So protect it with exterior wood paint, which is now available in spray form to make the job a lot easier. It’s amazing how quickly you can make it all look smarter.

4. Book a boiler check

Imagine…everything’s going swimmingly, the family are arriving for the festive period, and you’re patting yourself on the back for being well prepared. Then, all of a sudden, the boiler packs up. Give yourself peace of mind by booking a maintenance check to make sure your heating is running as efficiently as possible. And if you haven’t got a carbon monoxide detector, have one fitted for that extra sense of security.

5. Insulate your home

And, on the subject of keeping warm, how about tackling those draughty doorways and windows? If your home is losing heat, you’ll be facing higher bills than you need to, and you’ll be feeling a chilly blast right through the winter. Buying some sealant to fill the gaps is an easy and satisfying way to make sure you’ll feel the difference quickly.

6. Clean your driveways and patios

When those Christmas visitors turn up, the first thing they’ll see is your front driveway so invest a bit of time in getting it clean. Specialist products will remove mould, algae and general grime from driveways, patios and pathways.