A home maintenance checklist for South Australia follows the seasons. In spring and summer the focus is bushfire preparation: gutters, long grass, low branches and ember gaps. In autumn and winter it shifts to storms and rain: gutters again, downpipes and drains, loose items and anything that lets water in. Smoke alarms get tested every month all year. The lists below are built from the CFS, SES and MFS guidance, with the everyday repairs that crop up around the house added in.
Spring (September to November)
- Mow or slash long grass and take the cuttings away (CFS spring list)
- Pull weeds, cut back overhanging trees and pick up fallen branches
- Clean the gutters before the fire danger season starts
- Check that hoses, pumps and sprinklers work
- Repair torn flyscreens before the flies and the heat arrive
- Pressure wash paths, patios and outside walls after winter
- If west-facing rooms cook every summer, look at window film. The Australian Government’s YourHome guide says some films can halve a window’s solar heat gain, and that they help most on east and west windows that get long periods of sun. It also notes that films can cut visible light and need fitting to industry guidelines, because filmed glass in direct sun runs hotter
Check the season dates for your district in our guide to getting ready for fire danger season.
Summer (December to February)
- Keep a defendable space of up to 20 metres around the house, and 5 metres around sheds (CFS)
- Clear around trees and clean the gutters again if they’ve filled
- Keep the underfloor area clear of timber and firewood
- Check water reserves, and keep a battery radio with spare batteries
- Practise your Bushfire Survival Plan with the household
Autumn (March to May)
- Remove undergrowth and dead vegetation (CFS autumn list)
- Check with your council before any burn-off
- Clean the gutters once the leaves have dropped, before the winter rain
- Fix doors that stick, locks that won’t turn and gates that drag before the wet weather
- Patch cracks and holes in walls and touch up paint while you can open the windows
Winter (June to August)
- Check and clear gutters, downpipes and drains to prevent blockages (SES)
- Secure loose items around the yard, and trim branches that could fall on the house (SES)
- Get roof damage fixed by a roofer before the next storm
- Seal gaps along the ridge cap, gutter line and fascia, and cover vents with fine mesh, ready for next fire season (CFS winter list)
- Indoor jobs: plaster repairs, painting, TV mounting and flat-pack assembly
The SES storm line is 132 500. For life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).
All year
- Test smoke alarms every month and clean them at least every six months (MFS)
- Walk around the outside of the house after big wind or rain and look at gutters, downpipes and fences
- Keep a running list of small repairs, and get them done in one go
Handing over the list
Most of the jobs above are on Lindsay’s list: gutter cleaning, pressure washing, yard clean-ups, flyscreen, door, lock and gate repairs, painting and plaster patching, and home window tinting. Electrical, plumbing, gas and roof repairs need a licensed trade, and he’ll say so. Landlords can send a between-tenancy list the same way.
He works across the Riverland, Gawler, the Barossa and the northern suburbs. Tick your jobs on the quote form or call 0481 195 152 for a free quote.