Spring spruce-up

Sunny days are on the horizon and after months of neglect, it's time to give your outdoor spaces some love and attention

- Text Debbie Harrison

There's something about spring that makes you want to fling open the doors, breathe in the fresh air and give your home a good old reset.

After months of rain, mud and hunkering down indoors, a little effort now can set you up for an enjoyable spring and summer. Here are the tasks worth tackling - a mix of practical jobs and small upgrades you can do yourself, which will make a big difference. Where possible, rope someone else in to help - with good company, music blasting and the sun on your back, it can almost be classed as fun.

1 CLEAR THE GUTTERS AND DOWNPIPES

It might not be glamorous, but this one is nonnegotiable. Over autumn and winter, gutters fill with leaves, twigs and the occasional tennis ball that, before long, can block up completely. That means water spilling where it shouldn't, with possible flooding and even damage to your roofline or foundations. Clearing your gutters now saves costly problems later and it only takes an hour or two. While you're up the ladder, check downpipes are flowing freely, too - a quick spray with the hose will do the trick.

2 DEEP CLEAN WITH WATER

Decks, patios, paths and outdoor furniture take a beating through the wet months. A water blaster is your best friend for stripping away moss, mould, bird poop and grime - not only does it make things look better, but it stops walkways from becoming slippery and dangerous (especially on those late nights). If you've got quite a bit of green showing, it might pay to start with a spray to knock everything back.