Home maintenance guides

These guides cover the routine jobs that keep a house sound in the south-west of Ireland, where mild, wet and windy weather is hard on gutters, render, paintwork, timber and paving. Each one explains what to check, when to do it and when a job is better left to someone with the right equipment.

• Winter home maintenance checklist for Kerry homes

  Autumn jobs to get a house ready for Atlantic storms, rain and cold snaps.

• Hedge cutting season in Ireland: when can you cut hedges?

  The 1 March to 31 August closed season, garden hedges, roadside safety and nesting birds.

• Oiling decking in a wet climate: how to clean and oil timber decks

  Cleaning, drying and oiling timber decking so it survives wet Kerry winters.

• Pressure washing a driveway: moss, block paving, concrete and tarmac

  Moss, weeds and grime off block paving, concrete and tarmac without damaging them.

• Painting the outside of a house in Ireland: when and how to do it

  The best months and weather for exterior painting, plus preparation and paint choice.

• How to clean patio slabs without damaging them

  Concrete, sandstone, limestone and porcelain: the right cleaning method for each.

• How to clean gutters safely

  When and how often to clear gutters, ladder safety, downpipes and leaks.

• How to paint pebble dash

  Checking, cleaning, stabilising and painting rough pebble dash render.

Where to start

If you only have time for one thing, start with the winter home maintenance checklist: it links out to the more detailed guides for gutters, driveways and paintwork. For hands-on help, Alpine Home Improvements offers handyman services in County Kerry, including power washing, gutter cleaning, painting and odd jobs.