Keep Your Backyard In Shape, Up To Date and Increase Your Homes Value
DIY Maintenance Outside Your Home
Between the ongoing maintenance and home improvement works, there is plenty to keep you busy in your own backyard. I recommend you start with a few easy gardening ideas for beginners to dip your toe in the water before going into any larger scale landscaping works.
Concrete, Mortar and Bricklaying
Concreting is one of the cornerstone skills when it comes to any home renovation. If your installing a driveway, placing a new footpath or building a retaining wall, you need some form of concreting and bricklaying skills to get the job done. This is one area that is easy to pull off once you know what you’re doing and even easier to royally mess it up if you don’t. Be in the know and check out these guides.
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DIY Gardening
Your lawns and garden are a great way to give your yard a lively and welcoming feeling. However, if you don’t keep on top of things, you’ll soon find it overgrown and overrun with weeds. Find the best ways to keep your greenery clean and tidy.
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Exterior Maintenance
Whether it be the sun, the wind or the rain, mother nature will continue to wear away the outside of your home. Ongoing maintenance is needed to keep you house looking its best, making it a place you can be proud of.
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Pest Control for Your Home and Yard
Nothing invades your privacy in your own home quite like these unwanted house guests. Crawling around spreading disease, chewing your wiring, ruining your garden or just being an absolute pain, nobody wants these in or around their home. Everyone has their own theories and tricks when it comes to getting ridding pests from their home but some work better than others. Check out our guides for tried and true measures to get rid yourself of them for good.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Outdoor Home Maintenance
How do I know which fence is my responsibility to repair?
There is no general rule in UK law stating you own the left or right fence. To confirm your boundary, check your property’s title deeds (available from the HM Land Registry). The fence you are legally responsible for maintaining is usually marked with a ‘T’ mark pointing into your property.
When is the best time to lay new turf in the UK?
The ideal time to lay new turf is mid-autumn (October to November) or early spring. During these months, the British weather is typically mild and wet, which allows the grass roots to establish themselves without the risk of drying out in the summer sun or freezing in deep winter.
Do I need planning permission to pave my front garden or driveway?
You do not need planning permission if you use permeable (porous) materials like gravel or permeable block paving, or if you direct rainwater to drain into a lawn or border. If you use impermeable materials like traditional concrete or asphalt over five square metres, you must apply for permission.
How often should I clean out my gutters?
You should clear your gutters and downpipes at least once a year, ideally in late autumn after surrounding trees have dropped their leaves. Blocked gutters overflow and are one of the leading causes of penetrating damp in UK homes, making this a crucial money-saving DIY task.
Is a petrol or electric lawnmower better for a standard UK garden?
For a typical small-to-medium UK garden, our data shows a cordless electric (battery-powered) lawnmower is the most cost-effective and low-maintenance option. Heavy-duty petrol mowers are generally only worth the investment and maintenance cost if you are managing a lawn larger than 400 square metres.
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