Seasonal DIY, Projects to do in Springtime

Started your DIY year the right way

A new year and a new beginning, Spring is a great time to tidy things up around your property and use your DIY Skill to get ready for summer.

In today’s post, we take a look at the DIY jobs you should be doing during the Spring in order to be ready for the warmer dry weather to come. This means working on the exterieor of your property.

Always remember Safety First! Especially when working on ladders or at height

Now that the worst of the winter weather is behind us (hopefully) it’s time to review the condition of your house, look for any damage or wear and tear and start to put things back in order ready for use during the warm and sunny days and weeks to come.

Check and inspect fences and outbuildings, look for signs of wear or damage from the cold and wet winter weather, make a note of any areas you think need more attention.

Keeping a list of problem areas is a good idea as it will allow you to prioritise urgent tasks and plan the jobs that need to be completed later on during the summer when it’s dry.

Take a walk around the exterior of your property, and look at everything carefully, can you see any obvious areas that need attention? Is there anything broken or loose? Does any paintwork need to be addressed?

Start at the top

I like to start at the top and work my way down, so look at the roof ridge tiles and chimney, then check the roof for loose or broken slates or tiles.

If you are feeling really flash or are like me, a bit gadget-tastic, use a drone to check your roof and guttering, they are great fun and can get up to difficult to reach areas quickly and safely.

I check the guttering and fascia boards as well. It’s a good idea to use a pair of binoculars to make this a quick task rather than racing up and down ladders

Look at the condition of your exterior walls, is there any damage or weathering then needs attention?

Check around window and door frames for worn paint and rotting timbers.

Are your paved or decked areas in need of some care and attention?

Once you have surveyed the property you can review your list of jobs and plan which ones are urgent and need to be done first, and which ones can or need to wait for the drier days of summer.

To find out more, take a look at our priorities list here

Repair items fully

Now that the better weather is on its way it is a good idea to renovate things properly rather than just fix, for now, putting in a proper repair will last a lot longer and ultimately cost less in the long run.

Completely removing any rotten fence panels or posts, and cutting away any rotten timbers and replacing them with good quality wood is better in the long run, this can then be treated with a good quality hard wearing exterior finish.

Always look for exterior paint or finishes that give a long wear life 5- 10 years is great as this means less work you in the long run.

Roof repairs

Torn or damaged roofing can be repaired, check your property’s roof for signs of damage, as high winds can dislodge tiles, slates and loosen masonry, it a good idea to use a pair of binoculars from the ground first then use proper ladders or access towers for closer inspection and repairs of possible damaged areas

Try to combine jobs that require working at height, this means less time climbing up and down ladders.

You may well have spotted water dripping or pouring from the guttering, now is the time to repair downpipes, gutters and fascia boards, replacing areas with holes or cracks and clear away any winter debris.

Seasonal DIY Projects Jobs to do in Spring

Bees and Wasps

Keep an eye out for holes in particular as Bees and Wasps like to find new spaces to nest and once settled can be difficult to remove, patching up holes in roofing and fascias will help avoid any unnecessary work in the future.

If you have any older cast iron fittings it may be a good time to replace them with plastic or Aluminium for a clean and fresh look.

Brickwork and Pointing

Any brickwork that has suffered from the cold weather can be repaired, pointing is the most common area in need of attention,

Raking or chopping out any defective pointing down to around 12mm deep or to where the mortar is sound, then mix up mortar to match the existing area using mortar dyes, then repoint and clean the repaired area.

For large areas professionals may be a quicker solution however, they are not cheap.

Paint and Varnish

Paint or varnish on doors and windows can be rubbed down and any areas badly affected by water that remain damp need to be cut away along with any rotten timber, these can then be replaced or filled before redecorating.

Clean Patios

And Decking

Clean and scrub patios and decking to remove the winters grime and any algae that have grown during the darker days, try using a pressure washer to remove ingrained dirt, but be careful near joints so as not to blow out any sand or grout.

I always use a good stiff brush and dustpan on my patio first, I can loosen and sweep away any large lumps of dirt or moss before wetting the area, this makes pressure washing easier.

Stubborn stains or grime may need detergents to get a good clean, opt for biodegradable versions as this is safer on the environment and won’t harm children or pets.

Once paved or decked areas are clean they need time to dry out and can then be sealed to prevent build up in the future.

Any outdoor furniture can be given a good spring clean as well, ready for use throughout the year.

Plan improvements

Plan other improvements to your outdoor spaces, can you add a new patio or decked seating area? Measure up and consider various designs, patios don’t have to be square or near the house, a nice secluded seating area at the end of the garden can make a great feature.

Planning for Gazebos and summerhouses or creating a play area for the children. Spring is a great time to plan your next DIY project.

Subscribe to our mailing list and download our free DIY Planning Sheet to help get you started.

Maintenance

Spring is a good time to repair and maintain your tools too, Lawnmowers will soon be required to keep the grass looking tidy and may need an oil change and the blades sharpened, garden shears, secateurs, and other cutting tools can also be sharpened and oiled ready for the regular summer use.

Do your power tools work? Are the batteries in good condition and holding a charge?

Clean up the garbage bins, use disinfectant and the pressure washer to get rid of any grime and odors.

Tidy up the garage and your workshop ready for this year’s projects, review and inspect your tools are they in good condition? Do you need to sharpen or replace drill bits? Throw out any old paint or sealants, they don’t last forever and can take up valuable space.

Toys

Children love the outdoors and the summer months give them opportunities for much needed fresh air and exercise.

Use the beginning of spring to sort out which toys to keep and which to recycle or pass on to family, friends or charity.

Then clean up, repair and get their garden toys ready for the season of fun and games ahead.

Spring is about new beginnings and it a great time to start your DIY Year, follow the tips above to get and get your DIY season off to a fantastic start.

Look out for upcoming posts which include more seasonal DIY jobs to be done in the Summer, Autumn and Winter