June 2026 · Find A Tradie

Seasonal home maintenance checklist for Australian homes

Most expensive home repairs start as small, preventable problems. A cracked roof tile becomes a ceiling leak. A slow drain becomes a sewage backup. Spending 30 minutes each season checking the basics can save you thousands.

Autumn (March–May)

Before winter rain arrives, focus on water management:

• Clean gutters and downpipes — remove leaves and debris before winter storms. If you have large trees, consider installing leaf guards.
• Check the roof — look for cracked or missing tiles, lifted sheeting, and deteriorated flashing around vents and chimneys.
• Test stormwater drains — run a hose into your stormwater pits and check the water flows away from the house.
• Service your heating — have your gas heater or ducted heating serviced before you need it. A blocked flue or faulty heat exchanger is dangerous.
• Seal gaps — check weatherstripping around doors and windows. Replacing worn seals keeps heat in and reduces energy bills.

Winter (June–August)

Winter is about monitoring and catching problems early:

• Watch for damp and mould — check bathrooms, laundries, and any rooms that don't get much airflow. Persistent dampness can indicate a waterproofing failure.
• Check hot water — hot water systems work hardest in winter. If yours is more than 10 years old, get it inspected before it fails on a cold morning.
• Test safety switches — press the test button on your safety switch (RCD) in the switchboard. It should trip immediately. If it doesn't, call a licensed electrician.
• Monitor trees — winter storms can bring down branches. Trim anything overhanging your roof, power lines, or fences.

Spring (September–November)

Time to prepare for summer heat:

• Service air conditioning — clean filters, check refrigerant levels, and test the system before the first hot day. A pre-summer service costs far less than an emergency repair in January.
• Check exterior paint — winter weather exposes flaking or peeling paint. Touch up before summer UV makes it worse.
• Inspect decking and pergolas — look for rot, loose boards, and corroded fixings. Sand and oil timber decks before summer entertaining season.
• Garden and drainage — clear garden beds away from the house. Soil and mulch against walls can cause rising damp.

Summer (December–February)

Summer is when cooling, pests, and UV damage are the main concerns:

• Check for pest activity — warmer weather activates termites, ants, and spiders. If you haven't had a pest inspection in 12 months, book one.
• Monitor plumbing — increased water use (gardens, pools, extra guests) puts pressure on plumbing. Fix dripping taps and running toilets to avoid waste.
• Shade and ventilation — check that air conditioning is coping. If rooms are still hot, consider shade sails, window film, or ceiling insulation.
• Pool maintenance — if you have a pool, check the pump, filter, and chlorinator before the season starts. A green pool in January is expensive to recover.

The one thing to do every season

Walk around your property for 10 minutes and look for anything that's changed — a new crack in a wall, a stain on the ceiling, a fence post leaning, a tap dripping harder than last month. Catching things early is the cheapest maintenance strategy there is.