Autumn Exterior Checklist: Get Your Galway Home Ready for Winter

The clocks go back at the end of October, the leaves come down, and the first named storms start rolling in off the Atlantic. For homes across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, autumn is the last good window to get the outside of the house ready before the wettest, windiest months of the year.

A few hours of preparation now can save you an overflowing gutter in December, a slippery patio in January, or a damp patch on the ceiling in February. Here's the checklist we work through with our own customers at this time of year.

1. Clear the gutters after the leaves fall

Gutters are the number one autumn job. Leaves, moss and seeds wash off the roof and settle in the gutters and downpipes, and the first heavy rain turns them into a dam. Water then spills over the edge, runs down the walls, and can work its way into fascias, soffits and brickwork.

• Timing: wait until most of the leaves are down (usually late October to November), so the gutters stay clear for the winter.
• Check the downpipes too: a clear gutter won't help if the downpipe below it is blocked.
• Look for warning signs: water spilling over the edge in heavy rain, plants growing in the gutter, or dark streaks on the wall beneath it.

Blocked gutters are worse in winter because trapped water can freeze, expand and push joints and brackets apart. Our gutter cleaning service uses a high-reach vacuum system with a camera, so we can clear gutters up to four storeys from the ground and show you the before and after.

2. Treat moss on the roof before winter

Our damp, mild climate is ideal for moss. Over the winter it soaks up water like a sponge, holds it against the slates or tiles, and its roots can lift them and let water in. Clumps also break off in the wind and end up in your gutters.

Autumn is a good time for moss treatment: a treatment applied now keeps working through the winter rain, so the roof is in much better shape by spring. For heavier growth, a gentle roof clean removes the build-up without the damage high-pressure washing can cause. You can read more in our guide on why moss damages your roof.

3. Deal with green, slippery paths and patios

Once the weather turns, algae and moss spread quickly across driveways, patios, steps and decking. In the wet months they become genuinely slippery, which is a real risk for children, older family members and visitors.

• Patio cleaning and driveway cleaning remove the green layer and the dirt it grows on.
• Pay attention to steps, ramps and the path to your front door, as these get the most foot traffic.
• Clearing fallen leaves regularly also helps, since wet leaves are slippery on their own and feed the algae as they rot.

4. Wash the walls before the dark months

Rendered and painted walls pick up green and black staining on the shaded, north-facing sides of the house. Soft washing uses low pressure and a cleaning solution to remove the growth at the root, so the walls stay cleaner for longer, and it's gentle enough for render and paintwork.

5. Get ready for storm season

The west of Ireland takes the brunt of the Atlantic storms. Before the first big one arrives:

• Walk around the house and look up. Check for loose or slipped slates, cracked ridge tiles and gutters pulling away from the fascia.
• Secure or store garden furniture, trampolines and bins.
• Make sure gutters and drains are clear, so heavy rain has somewhere to go.
• Trim back branches that hang over the roof or rub against the walls.

If you spot damage on the roof itself, call a roofer. If the problem is blocked gutters, moss or dirt, that's where we come in.

A note on safety

Autumn is the worst time of year to be up a ladder: surfaces are wet, the days are short and the wind picks up quickly. Clearing a ground-floor gutter yourself is one thing, but for anything higher, or on a wet or windy day, it's safer to leave it to a team with the right equipment and insurance.

Your quick autumn checklist

1. Gutters and downpipes cleared once the leaves are down
2. Moss on the roof treated or removed
3. Driveway, patio and steps cleaned of algae and leaves
4. Green or black staining washed off the walls
5. A storm-check walk around the house

We're based in Tuam and work across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. Autumn is our busiest time for gutter work, so it pays to book early. Get a free, no-obligation quote, call us on 087 000 3446, or send us a photo on WhatsApp and we'll tell you what your home needs before winter.

Looking further ahead? Our spring exterior cleaning checklist covers what to do once the winter is over.