Latrobe Valley winters are not as harsh as those in the high country, but they are long, grey and damp. Thick valley fogs can hang about until lunchtime, frosts are common on clear nights, and heavy rain arrives with each cold front from the west. Homes in Traralgon, Morwell, Moe and Churchill feel it in different ways: draughty doorways, windows that weep with condensation, mouldy bathroom ceilings and gutters that overflow at the first big downpour. Autumn is the time to get ahead of it.

1. Gutters and downpipes

By late autumn, gutters in leafy streets are often full of leaves, seed pods and bark. When the first heavy rain arrives, blocked gutters overflow at the back of the fascia, wetting eaves, walls and the ground around stumps and slabs. Clean gutters on single-storey homes, check that downpipes are attached and flowing, and clear any surface grates. If water still pools against the house after rain, ask a plumber about drainage.

2. Draughts around doors

Stand at each external door on a windy day and feel for draughts along the bottom and sides. Worn or missing door seals are an easy fix: a new bottom seal or draught excluder and fresh weatherstrip around the frame can make a room noticeably warmer. Check internal doors to unheated areas such as laundries and garages, too.

3. Windows that won’t close properly

Windows that don’t close or lock tightly leak heat. Aluminium sliders often need their tracks cleaned and rollers replaced; timber windows may need to be eased and their catches adjusted. Torn flyscreens matter less in winter, but autumn is a good time to have them repaired so they’re ready for spring.

4. Sticking doors

Timber doors that swell in damp weather can stick and stop latching. Before planing, check the hinge screws; loose hinges cause most dropped doors. Once a door is planed, seal the bare timber edge so it doesn’t keep absorbing moisture.

5. Damp and mould

Valley fogs and indoor drying mean bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes on cold southern walls are prone to mould. Make sure exhaust fans run (an electrician can fix ones that don’t), open windows on dry afternoons, and treat mould early. Mouldy silicone around showers and baths should be removed and replaced rather than painted over. See silicone and caulking.

6. Outdoor surfaces

Shaded paths, decks and steps grow slippery moss and algae through winter. A pressure wash in autumn and again in spring keeps them safe. Re-oiling a deck before winter protects the timber from months of wet weather. See pressure washing.

7. Storm checks

Cold fronts bring strong westerlies. Walk your fence line and look for loose palings, leaning posts and gates that don’t latch. Fix them before a storm turns one loose paling into a fallen panel. Secure outdoor furniture and trampolines too.

8. Heaters and fireplaces

Many Valley homes rely on wood heaters and gas. Servicing, flues and gas appliances must be handled by licensed professionals, so book them early in autumn. A handyman can tidy the woodpile, build a firewood rack away from the house and fit hearth-side hooks and shelving.

A simple autumn list

• Gutters and downpipes cleared
• Door seals and draught excluders fitted
• Windows adjusted and locking
• Sticking doors eased and sealed
• Bathroom silicone renewed where mouldy
• Paths and decks cleaned; deck oiled
• Fence line and gates checked

Send your list through the free quote form and we’ll take care of it in one visit.

*General information only. Licensed electrical, plumbing, gas and roofing work must be done by licensed trades.*