The jobs to tick off your list just in time for summer

Beat the heat this summer

Summer is just around the corner, and if recent years are anything to go by, it’ll be a scorcher. The Bureau of Meteorology’s weather modelling has been making news as  it predicts we’re in for one of the hottest summers on record.

Late spring is a great time to get your home up to scratch in time for the summer heat. You’ll save yourself having to complete them while it’s hot, make a positive impact on the environment, and just maybe receive a lower electricity bill, too.

Some of these jobs are easy to DIY, but you’ll want to ensure you’re turning to a trusted expert for those that require a professional touch. A licensed tradie has the expertise to get the job done right the first time. hipages is the all-in-one destination for hiring trusted expert tradies to help get your home in top-notch condition for summer.

Plug gaps and draughts

Having a well-insulated home isn’t just a necessity for winter; there’s value in ensuring draughts are plugged in summer, too. After all, you don’t want to go cooling the whole neighbourhood with your air-conditioner.

Sealing small gaps is a quick and easy job to tackle on a free weekend, and you’ll likely be able to do it yourself. Check around doorways and window frames for any visible gaps or feel for draughts. Once you’ve identified problem areas, grab some caulking, silicone or other sealant and get started.

If you find air escaping under your front door, something as simple as a door snake could be the answer.

For larger insulation jobs, like double-glazing your windows or installing reflective insulation in your walls or ceiling, it’s best to call on a trusted tradie.

Install blinds

This one’s particularly valuable if you have a south or east-facing home, where the sun likely blares through your windows in the early morning or late afternoon. If your home is made of brick, the sun’s heat will get trapped inside, and you’ll have to run your air conditioner after dark to keep your home cool.

Blinds are a simple way to keep your home from turning into a sauna in summer. If your goal is to keep your home cool, sunscreen blinds could be a great option. They block UV but allow you to see through them from the inside, so you’re not making your home dark and uncomfortable all day or blocking a great view.

For even better protection, consider black-out blinds. While these darken the room significantly, they also do a great job of protecting your home from heating up during the day. Blinds come in all kinds of patterns and textures, so you’re sure to find some that complement your design choices.

Put them down when the sun is strongest, and you might just find that you need to use your air conditioner less as well.

Blinds should be installed by a professional. Your windows need to be measured precisely, and the blinds are cut to size so you don’t have overhanging or overlapping material. A professional installer will also make sure the cords or chains are attached securely, as loose cords or chains can be a safety hazard to children and pets.

Find a blind installer near you and get your interiors summer-ready.

Install fans

If your space allows for it, ceiling fans can be a game-changer for summer. Well-placed fans can make a room feel significantly cooler, and they’re much cheaper to run than an air conditioner.

Fans can also help prevent mould growth by keeping the air in motion and helping to prevent damp.

A licensed sparkie must install ceiling fans. Not only is trying to DIY anything related to wiring illegal in Australia, but there’s also a good chance you’ll have a shocking experience.

Get shady

If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor space, you’ll want to ensure it’s ready for summer entertaining and outdoor enjoyment with family or friends. The key to spending long hours outdoors during the hottest part of the year is shade. Protect yourself and your family from Australia’s harsh UV and keep cool with shade sails, awnings, or patio covers.

Not only will shade keep your outdoor area cooler, but the inside of your home will benefit, too. Less hot air entering your home means you could even save on cooling costs this summer.

For a longer-term strategy, consider planting trees and shrubs in your garden or around any outside areas you have. These will provide shade in the future and help absorb heat.

Shade structures can be a bit of an investment, but they’re a great way to prepare your home for hotter summers to come.

Have your gutters cleaned

Clean gutters are a must for summer. It’s especially important to have clean gutters if you live in a fire-prone area, as you don’t want fuel building up around your home. But, even if you live in a concrete jungle, there are plenty of reasons to have your gutters cleaned in preparation for summer:

• Gutters full of leaves and sticks don’t dry out after rain, making them susceptible to mould and odours.
• Unwelcome guests could turn your crowded gutters into a five-star hotel, so unless you want mosquitos galore, birds making nests, or termites and ants moving in, a clean gutter is the way to go.
• Full gutters make it impossible for water to reach your downpipes, leading to water pooling at the base of your home. Depending on the materials your home is made of, this could be a structural risk in the long run.
• Clean gutters elevate the look and feel of your home.

You’ll want to book a professional gutter cleaning service for this job. A professional gutter cleaner will get your gutters sparkling clean and be able to alert you to any other issues with your guttering or roofing while they’re at it. Cleaning gutters yourself can be dangerous, especially if your home is multi-storey. Nobody wants to be on crutches for the silly season, so this job is best left to the professionals.

Find out more about professional gutter cleaning.

Book a service for your air conditioner

Getting your air conditioner serviced in early summer means you’ll have efficient cooling throughout the season.

An annual service for your air conditioner is advisable, and it makes sense to have it done just before summer. Service costs vary depending on your area and what kind of air conditioner you have, but it’s almost guaranteed to be cheaper than a new unit and will extend the efficiency and life of your unit.

These six jobs are must-dos as summer approaches. Get your home ready for the hottest period of the year, and you’ll stay cooler and pay less this summer.