Guide
The best time of year for outdoor home jobs in Ireland
Updated
The short answer
In Ireland, clean gutters in late autumn, wash walls and render in a dry spell between spring and early autumn, clean patios and driveways in spring and again in early autumn, and clean and oil decking in late spring or summer when it can dry out. Small repairs are best done in autumn, before the winter storms.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is for clearing up after the winter. Patios and driveways are at their greenest, so it's the time to clean and treat them before you want to use them. It's also a good time for a second gutter clean if trees are close to the house, a window clean to get the winter grime off, and the first garden tidy and mow of the year.
Summer (June to August)
Summer's longer dry spells suit the jobs that need timber or walls to dry: cleaning and oiling decks and fences, and soft washing render before repainting. Grass and hedges need regular attention.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn is the most important season for outdoor maintenance. Clean the gutters once the leaves have come down, clear moss and algae off paths before they turn slippy, fix loose fascias, gutters and fence panels before the winter storms, and do a final garden tidy and leaf clear.
Winter (December to February)
Winter is for keeping an eye on things: overflowing gutters in heavy rain, slippy paths, storm damage. It's a quieter time for most outdoor work, which makes it a good time to get quotes and book spring jobs early.
Questions
Can you power wash in winter?
It's possible, but surfaces take a long time to dry, re-sanding paving needs dry weather, and treatments work best when they're not washed straight off. Spring and early autumn are better.
What's the one job not to skip?
The autumn gutter clean. Blocked gutters in an Irish winter cause damp and damage that costs far more to fix than the clean.