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Bed in a bedroom at the back of a house
Safeguard your home for the future by giving it a little TLC this month. Here’s a handy checklist of important outdoor home maintenance projects that will have an impact on the well-being and look of your home.

Now is the perfect time to tackle all of the projects that always seem to get set to the side for a future day. This month, map out a game plan and within 30 days, you’ll have ticked all the essential outdoor home maintenance projects off of your list.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment

Give everything a good clean

Giving your outdoor area a deep clean will bring it back to life. It is an easy and inexpensive way to transform and brighten your space.

Start by cleaning your deck. It’s important to make sure this entertainment hub is always looking great, and – with the right tools and equipment – it's a pretty simple job. Start by sweeping the deck clean of any dirt or leaves. Next, use a high pressure cleaner to wash away any embedded dirt. Give it a good scrub with deck cleaner and a scrub broom, and then wash it down with the high pressure cleaner again.

Tip: You can hire one of our high pressure cleaners in-store* – they're inexpensive and it’s a great way to get that professional clean at home by doing it yourself.

*Not all services are available in all stores; conditions apply. Please contact your local store for more information.

While you have that high pressure cleaner handy, use it to give your outdoor pavers, tiles and concrete a deep clean, as well. The steps are similar to cleaning your deck: sweep away any dirt or debris and use the high pressure cleaner to wash away any dirt, stains, mould and algae.

Tip: Start with the cleaner’s soft setting and work your way up.

Don’t forget your windows – there are four easy cleaning hacks to make your windows sparkle. If your windows are extra streaky, using a glass cleaner and a squeegee is particularly effective. To take it to another level, use a window vac and give your glass a good scrub. If you’re old-school, you can’t go wrong with using newspaper and water. And if you want to be environmentally conscious, using white vinegar and water is the way to go. Vinegar is non-toxic and naturally sourced, and it’s easy to use it to make your own cleaning solution.

outdoor setting with furniture and bbq

Spend a little time on maintenance and improvements

There are a few easy D.I.Y. backyard fixes that can increase the quality of your backyard area. Completing any or all of these projects will provide enormous satisfaction and you’ll see an immediate difference.

If you need a little more privacy for your outdoor area, add a fence extension. They’re cost-effective, easy to install and they could go a long way toward maintaining a positive relationship with your neighbours.

These extenders slot over existing fences – all you need to do is measure your fence, add the extenders and screw them to the fence.

Now’s a good time to rejuvenate your fence with a coat of paint, too, and using a spray gun makes this task easy and efficient.

If you have an outdoor timber table, give it a refresh, which will give it a new lease on life and help protect it from the elements. The key to reviving outdoor furniture and keeping it looking good is to make sure it’s watertight. When timber is exposed to the weather, it changes – the faded silvery-grey effect is a result of sun-fade and rain gradually washing out the pigments and tannins. With a little TLC – sanding, varnishing, and adding furniture protection – your furniture will last longer and look great.

Give your lawn a glow-up

Regular maintenance will help your lawn thrive. Our seasonal guide to lawn care has everything you need to know about changing up your lawn care routine for the change of seasons, whether it’s protecting it from the summer heat to controlling winter weeds.

If you’ve let your lawn go a little, don’t lose hope! There are things you can do to restore it to its former lush glory. A few tips to revive your lawn include weeding it regularly, de-thatching and aerating your grass to allow water and air to reach the roots and giving your lawn a surge of nutrients to improve health, growth and colour.

Fixing bare patches will have a big impact, too. Bare patches can ruin the look and feel of your lawn. Repairing them is easy: you either need to sow lawn seed or lay down turf.

Tip: Once your bare patches have been fixed, it’s important to address the root causes to prevent it from happening again. This might include treating for pests and diseases, aerating the lawn, removing overhanging branches, or creating new tracks or areas for kids and pets to play.

Outdoor furniture on a healthy green lawn next to a garden wall and deck

Treat yourself to a garden

A vegetable garden is the gift that keeps on giving, and there are few things more satisfying than cultivating a garden, watching your vegies grow and enjoying your harvest in home cooking year-round.

If you’re wondering how to start a vegetable garden, the first thing is to choose a location, taking into consideration sunlight and soil quality. Decide which vegetables you’d like to grow, map out your garden and get growing!

Don’t forget to add mulch. This protective layer is a gardener’s secret weapon for fighting weeds, retaining moisture and keeping things tidy.

Tip: Join our Garden Corner for planting advice tailored to your area and climate.

Stay safe at home

Keep your home safe and secure by adding a security camera outside your home.

Installing security cameras now is much easier than it used to be and is something you can do in a weekend. Best of all, wireless security cameras can be installed by a D.I.Y.er, no electricians required.

Many systems have an app that you can download to your smartphone, allowing you to monitor your home even when you're not there.

Now that the outside of your home is spruced up...

Tackle the inside with our handy indoor home maintenance checklist.

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.