Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist: What to Fix Before Winter or Summer Hits
Don't wait for a breakdown. By the time you notice a problem, the weather has already made it worse.
Every season change brings a rush of urgent call-outs: no heating on the coldest night, an AC that dies in a heatwave, a burst pipe, a tripped circuit that won't reset. Most of these were warning you for weeks. Use this checklist to spot problems early, then book a qualified professional to deal with them.
Safety first: This checklist is for spotting problems, not fixing them. Electrical, gas, heating, roofing and plumbing faults can cause fires, shock, flooding, carbon monoxide poisoning and serious injury. If you're unsure, stop and call a professional.
Electrical: Call a Professional, Every Time
Electrical faults are the most dangerous items on this list. Heaters in winter and air conditioners in summer push your wiring hard.
Warning signs to look for:
Breakers that trip repeatedly
Flickering or buzzing lights
Warm, discoloured or scorched sockets or switches
A burning smell near outlets, appliances or the fuse board
Sparks or crackling when plugging something in
Extension cords or power strips running hot
What to do: Stop using the affected circuit or appliance and leave the repair to a licensed electrician. Do not open the fuse board, replace wiring, or reset a breaker repeatedly. If you see sparks, smell burning or suspect a fault near water, switch off at the mains only if it is safe to reach, keep everyone away, and call us or emergency services immediately.
Before Winter: What to Check
Heating and gas
Heating that is slow to start, noisy, cycling on and off, or giving uneven warmth
Yellow or orange flames on gas appliances, or soot marks around them
Any gas smell: leave the property and call your gas emergency line. Do not touch switches.
Carbon monoxide alarms that are missing, expired or not working
Heating and gas appliances should only be serviced by a qualified, registered engineer. Never attempt repairs yourself.
Plumbing and pipes
Dripping taps and slow drains
Exposed or poorly insulated pipes in lofts, garages and outside walls
Damp patches, stained ceilings or a sudden rise in your water bill
A frozen pipe can burst without warning. If you suspect one, turn off the water at the stop tap if it is safe to do so and call a plumber.
Roof, gutters and exterior
Missing, cracked or slipped tiles
Overflowing gutters and signs of water getting in
Gaps around windows and doors, and drafts
Do not climb onto the roof or use ladders to inspect it. Roof work causes serious falls every year. Have a professional assess it.
Before Summer: What to Check
Air conditioning
Weak airflow, strange smells, or water leaking from the unit
Ice on the unit, unusual noises, or poor cooling
A system that hasn't been serviced in over a year
AC units contain electrical components and refrigerants that need trained handling. Book a service before the first heatwave, when engineers are booked out.
Electrical load
Fans, coolers and AC running together can overload older circuits
Warm plugs, tripped breakers or dimming lights when appliances switch on
If you see any of these, stop using the circuit and call an electrician.
Plumbing, drainage and outdoors
Blocked drains and gullies before heavy storm rain
Leaking outdoor taps and irrigation lines
Water heaters or pumps making unusual noises
Pests and moisture
Damp, mould or musty smells
Cracks or gaps that let in insects and rodents
Chewed cables, which are a fire and shock risk. Do not handle them.
When to Treat It as an Emergency
Call us right away if you notice:
Burning smells, sparks, or scorched sockets or switches
A gas smell (leave the building first, then call)
Water pouring from a ceiling, wall or pipe
Power loss in part of the home after a bang or flash
No heating or cooling for vulnerable people such as infants, older adults or anyone unwell
Roof damage letting rain in
Why Early Booking Matters
Fixing a small fault early typically costs a fraction of an emergency repair, and it protects your family and your insurance position. Seasonal rush periods fill up fast. A quick inspection now is far cheaper than a midnight call-out later.
🚨 Need Help Now? Contact Us
Emergency or urgent fault? Don't wait and don't DIY.
Tell us what you've noticed, and we'll tell you whether it needs a same-day visit. Our qualified, insured technicians will make it safe first, then fix it properly.
If you believe anyone is in immediate danger from fire, gas or electric shock, call your local emergency services first.