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Give Mum a bunch of flowers and a big hug, by all means, but you know what else she’d really like? Someone to fix these niggling little jobs around the house.
1. Clear out the gutterings
It’s something that needs doing regularly and life is so much easier when rain isn’t cascading over the gutter edges in a torrential sheet. Take a bucket, rubber gloves and a ladder and safely clear the leaves and gunk from the gutters. Then run a hose into the downpipes to ensure they’re running freely. Every time it rains, Mum will think of you with love.
2. Fix loose planks on the deck
If Mum’s decking is coming loose, a few simple steps now could save a lot of problems later and, more importantly, prevent an accident. If the original decking was nailed in place, hammering back the loose nails is only going to fix the problem for a short time before they work loose again. A better solution is to remove the loose nails and replace them with screws.
3. Oil squeaking doors and gates
It’s a simple thing, but it makes such a difference – not only do the hinges work quietly, they will also be protected from rust and dirt. Take a can of WD40 and give all the exterior doors and gate hinges a good squirt. Use the thin nozzle attachment to get the lubricant right into the hinge, then open and close the door a couple of times to make sure it is evenly distributed. And while you’re at it, check the hinge screws and tighten up any loose ones with a screwdriver – so that you’re not fixing a sagging door next Mother’s Day!
4. Revive the courtyard with a high-pressure hose
Get Mum’s tiled or paved courtyard looking as good as new with a bit of TLC and a high-pressure hose. Look for products that will help to remove dirt, moss, barbecue stains and stubborn grime in next to no time.
5. Clean the barbecue
Now that summer’s over, it’s an ideal time to thoroughly clean Mum’s barbecue. Doing it now means that it’s protected over winter and will only need a simple wipe-down come next season. Before you start, disconnect the gas hose. Scrape excess fat, burnt-on gunk and grime from the tray and grills and give them a good soak in boiling hot, soapy water in a large tub. When the water is a little cooler, scrub them thoroughly with a wire brush, wearing rubber gloves, rinse and leave them to dry. Wipe down the barbecue itself with hot soapy water and a scouring pad. Spray the dry grills with canola oil, then reassemble barbecue. Line the tray with aluminium foil and add a layer of fat absorber. Now wipe over the hood, and Mum’s ready to invite you over in spring!
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