Raking up fallen autumn leaves.

As autumn settles in across the Scottish Borders, now is a good time to look around your home and tackle those maintenance jobs that are easy to put off. Between the heavy rain, strong winds and freezing temperatures, winter has a habit of exposing problems that might have gone unnoticed throughout the year.

At Pearsons of Duns Builders Merchant, we regularly help customers with everything from replacing damaged fencing and repairing shed roofs to sorting drainage problems and improving driveways. One thing I'd always recommend is getting ahead of these jobs rather than waiting until something goes wrong. Often, a few simple repairs and the right materials can make a big difference.

Here are my ten essential home maintenance jobs to tackle before winter arrives.

1. Check Your Fencing Before the Winter Winds Begin to Blow

If there's one thing we can count on in the Scottish Borders, it's a bit of wind. And if your fencing is already looking worse for wear, the first proper winter storm could finish the job. Start by checking your fence posts, rails and panels for rotting timber, loose sections or posts that move when you give them a gentle push.

Pay particular attention to the bottom of wooden posts, where rot often begins. If a post has deteriorated at ground level, replacing it is generally better than patching it up. Smaller repairs might only need replacement rails, exterior screws or galvanised brackets, while more substantial damage could require new treated timber posts and panels.

At Pearsons, we stock fencing posts, rails, panels and fixings to help you get everything standing securely again

2. Inspect Your Shed Roof and Replace Worn Roofing Felt

A leaking shed roof is one of those problems people often discover when it's already too late. Roofing felt can become brittle, cracked or loose over time, particularly after years of exposure to changing temperatures and strong winds.

Before winter, inspect your shed roof from a safe position, checking for tears, lifted edges, exposed fixings or areas where water may be getting underneath. Replacing damaged felt before the wetter weather arrives can protect both the timber roof and whatever you've got stored inside.

We stock shed roofing felt on the roll at Pearsons, along with tools and fixings for suitable repairs. Choose a felt appropriate for your shed and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. It's much better than opening the door in November to discover everything sitting in a puddle!

3. Clear Gutters and Check Your Roof

Blocked gutters are a common cause of avoidable water damage, particularly during autumn when leaves and moss quickly build up. If rainwater can't flow freely through gutters and downpipes, it may overflow onto external walls or collect around the base of your property.

Check for blockages, loose brackets, leaking joints and damaged guttering. While you're at it, inspect your roof from ground level for slipped slates, cracked tiles or damaged flashing. This is particularly important for older stone properties across the Borders, where even a small defect can allow water inside.

If you're dealing with a larger building or somewhere difficult to reach, POD Hire has a cherry picker available for hire. For suitable jobs, it can provide a practical access solution for gutter cleaning, roof inspections and other maintenance tasks at height. Speak to the POD Hire team for more information.

*Remember that working at height must be properly planned. Roof repairs should be left to qualified professionals.

4. Top Up Gravel and Repair Paths and Driveways

Gravel driveways are a familiar sight across the Scottish Borders, particularly around rural homes and older cottages. Over time, vehicle use and heavy rain can displace gravel, leaving ruts, potholes and areas where water collects. These can worsen during winter as standing water freezes and thaws.

Autumn is a good time to rake over existing gravel, remove weeds and top up worn areas. For driveways, I'd generally recommend angular aggregate rather than rounded decorative pebbles, as the stones lock together more effectively under vehicle traffic. A 20mm angular aggregate is often a practical choice, depending on the existing surface and drainage.

If you're dealing with deep ruts or persistent puddles, you may need to repair the underlying surface or improve drainage first. We have a range of aggregates available at Pearsons, and I've covered the options in more detail in my previous blog, Choosing the Right Paving and Decorative Aggregates for Your Outdoor Space.

5. Seal Gaps Around Windows and Doors

Small gaps around windows and doors become surprisingly noticeable once temperatures drop. Damaged sealant, worn weatherstripping and gaps around external frames can allow draughts and moisture into your home.

Check for cracked or peeling sealant, particularly where frames meet brickwork, stone or render. A good quality exterior sealant and reliable sealant gun can make a real difference, but choosing the correct product for the materials involved is important.

Make sure surfaces are clean and dry before applying sealant and follow the recommended application temperatures. Avoid blocking drainage holes or ventilation openings around windows. It's a relatively small job that can help keep your home warmer and drier throughout winter.

6. Check Drains and Improve Surface Water Drainage

With the amount of rain we get in the Borders, good drainage is particularly important. Blocked gullies, drainage channels and downpipes can cause water to collect around your home, across driveways or beside external walls.

Take a walk around your property after heavy rain and look for areas where water isn't draining properly. Clear leaves and debris from accessible grates and channels and investigate any persistent puddles rather than simply waiting for them to dry out.

Depending on the problem, you might need drainage channels, underground drainage pipes or suitable drainage aggregate as part of a properly designed system. We stock drainage pipes, fittings and aggregates at Pearsons, and can help you identify suitable materials. Just remember, moving water from one problem area to another isn't much of a solution!

7. Check External Walls, Mortar and Pointing 

Many homes across the Scottish Borders are built from traditional stone, making external masonry maintenance particularly important. Over time, mortar joints can deteriorate and allow rainwater to penetrate. When temperatures drop below freezing, trapped moisture can expand and worsen existing damage.

Look for crumbling pointing, damaged render, loose mortar or cracks that appear to be growing. If repairs are needed, choosing the correct mortar is essential, particularly for older stone properties where traditional lime mortar may have been used. Applying a hard modern cement mortar to softer historic masonry can sometimes cause more harm than good.

For newer brickwork, a suitable repair mortar may be appropriate, but the correct mix depends on the construction. If you're unsure, seek advice from someone experienced in traditional masonry before starting.

8. Protect Timber, Decking and Garden Gates

Your fencing isn't the only timber that needs attention before winter. Decking, garden gates, sheds and other outdoor wooden structures can suffer from prolonged moisture exposure, especially when protective finishes have worn away.

Check for peeling paint, damaged coatings, loose boards and rotten timber. If the wood is still sound, a suitable exterior wood preservative, stain or decking oil can help protect it. Remember that fence paint, wood stain and decking oil serve different purposes, so choosing the right product for the surface matters.

Timber should be clean and sufficiently dry before treatment, with suitable weather for the finish to cure. I've covered preparation and product choices in my previous blog, How to Paint Fences and Decking. We can also help with replacement timber, screws, brackets and fixings for any repairs.

9. Protect Outdoor Taps and Exposed Plumbing

Frozen pipes can cause expensive damage, particularly in garages, sheds and unheated areas. Before the first hard frost, check outdoor taps and exposed pipework for leaks or deterioration. Where possible, isolate and drain outdoor water supplies that won't be needed during winter.

Pipe insulation and outdoor tap covers can provide additional protection, although vulnerable pipework may still need draining. It's also worth checking any loose or leaking connections.

We stock plumbing essentials at Pearsons, including copper pipe, connectors and fittings for suitable home repairs. And if you've ever started a plumbing job only to discover you're missing one tiny connector, you'll know it's worth checking you've got everything before you begin! More complicated repairs are best left to a qualified plumber.

10. Prepare Paths, Steps and Driveways for Frost

Finally, don't forget the areas you'll be walking and driving over once temperatures fall. Loose paving slabs, uneven steps and slippery surfaces can become hazardous when covered in frost or ice, so check paving, handrails and outdoor lighting before winter arrives.

Remove moss and algae using a suitable outdoor cleaning product, following the manufacturer's instructions. It's also worth stocking up on winter essentials before you actually need them.

At Pearsons, we have grit for paths and driveways, along with de-icer, windscreen scrapers and antifreeze for colder mornings. Keep your grit somewhere dry and accessible so you're not hunting for it when the first frost arrives. You'll be glad you did when everyone else is caught out by the weather!

Get Your Home Winter Ready with Pearsons of Duns Builders Merchant

Getting your home ready for winter doesn't have to involve major building projects. Often, it's the smaller jobs that make the biggest difference. A loose fence post, worn shed felt, blocked gutter or driveway that needs topping up might not seem urgent now, but leaving these problems can lead to more work and expense later.

At Pearsons of Duns Builders Merchant, we have a wide range of building materials, tools and winter essentials to help you tackle your autumn home maintenance jobs. From fencing and roofing felt to aggregates, sealants, drainage products and plumbing fittings, we can help you find the right materials.

See you soon,

Tony - Builders' Merchant Team