Things to do around your home in August

Keeping your roof in good shape is a very important part of home maintenance. House stained with Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Resene Dark Oak CoolColour.

It may be the final month of winter in our part of the world, but August temperatures and weather can often be the most brutal. When not managed properly, the effects of these conditions can cause long-term damage to our properties, so keeping on top of maintenance is crucial, as the longer things are left, the harder (and more costly) they are to repair. On the plus side, there’s also plenty of time for fun DIY projects, including building a custom cosy house for your pet or a handy firewood storage unit.

Raise the roof

It’s easy to forget about your roof, but whether it’s painted steel or tile, checking the surface once a year for mould, lichen and leaks is essential to ensure it lasts a long time – roof problems can become very large very quickly. Give painted roofs a wash with Resene Roof and Metal Wash. Replace any nails that may have rusted or become loose on older roofs, check any joins (such as where a flue enters the roof) for signs of leaks, and flashings. If you find patches of bare iron where paint has weathered and flaked, clean and sand the area then apply a primer such as Resene Galvo One.

Dry your tears

Condensation is a serious concern during winter, with the moisture accumulated in homes turning to mould on many surfaces. Unfortunately these mould spores can cause both minor and major health issues, as well as gradually destroying your home and possessions.

As they say, a dry home is a healthy home. Not sure how to prevent your windows and walls from weeping? Follow these tips to help keep moisture at bay:

Open doors and windows on fine days so air can circulate through your home.
Lift curtains and pull furniture back from the walls to create space for air circulation.
Ensure curtains extend right to the floor and that they include a separate thermal/blockout fabric layer, like those offered in the Resene Curtain Collection.
Air your mattresses and pillows in the sun to dry any residual moisture.
Ensure bathrooms and kitchens arewell ventilated. Install extractor fans over cooktops and in bathrooms to remove steam. Use Resene SpaceCote Kitchen & Bathroom – available in flat or low sheen – which combines anti-bacterial silver protection and MoulDefender mould inhibitor.
Avoid drying clothes indoors and vent tumble dryers to outside.
Open windows or use an extractor fan in the bathroom when showering. Leave it on for 30 minutes afterwards with the door closed to remove moist air.
Place draught stoppers beneath doors to keep rooms warm.
Wipe up any condensation on windows or sills straight away.
Periodically leave cupboard and wardrobe doors open so air can circulate. And never put damp shoes or clothes in a wardrobe.

On sunny days, throw open the doors and windows to encourage ventilation and airflow. Walls painted in Resene Alabaster, with paint effect in Resene Double Sea Fog mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium and Resene Sea Fog mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium.

Wood store painted in Resene Parsley with cladding stained in Resene Kwila and weatherboards in Resene Quarter Silver Chalice.

Gimme store

If you’re lucky enough to enjoy the warmth of a roaring fire – or you have an outdoor version for summer evenings – flex your DIY skills and build a cool storage unit to keep your firewood dry and easily accessible.

Jacob Leaf (Ngāpuhi), The Upcycler, created this simple A-frame design using timber from old pallets, but you could also build it with offcuts from another project. Add a pop of colour – Jacob used the vibrant green Resene Parsley on the main frame, while highlighting the natural beauty of the timber cladding with Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain in Resene Kwila. A very important part of the process is washing the timber you’re using to make your firewood store thoroughly first, which will help you obtain a professional looking finish.

Watch the step-by-step video here.

Custom kennel

Only the best for your four-legged family member when the weather is chilly! This DIY canine castle is a fun and practical winter project that your precious pooch will be able to snuggle up in during the cold days and nights. It’s made from plywood reinforced with timber battens, with the roof painted in Resene Element and the walls in Resene Half Silver Chalice. Use a Resene CoolColour formulation when using darker colours to help the kennel stay cooler in summer. You can then kit it out with your dog’s favourite toys and blanket to make them feel right at home.

Check out the step-by-step instructions here.

Protect your paper

As well as looking after your interior paintwork, keeping an eye on your wallpaper is also an important task. If you see dark spots of mould appearing during winter – these will normally be located near the ceiling – wipe the surface down according to the instructions for your particular wallpaper. Some are washable or scrubbable, while others should only be cleaned gently with a dry sponge. The problem is likely to be a lack of ventilation in the room, so making sure you open windows regularly to encourage airflow can help prevent it happening again.

If you’re just giving your wallpaper a clean, rather than fixing mould issues, simply wash with warm water, soap and either a soft sponge (washable wallpapers), a soft brush (scrubbable papers) or a dry sponge (delicate papers).

Don’t use abrasive cleaners or scrubbers like steel wool, or any type of bleach. Rinse the surface once you have finished cleaning and be careful not to leave it overly wet. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth. If you have a difficult dirt spot that isn’t shifting, use a stronger detergent but test it on a small inconspicuous spot before using it on the whole wall.

Top tip: Wash from the bottom of the paper up to avoid dirty water running down the face of the wallpaper (or painted walls).

Roof painted in Resene Element and walls and trim in Resene Half Silver Chalice.

Looking after your wallpaper is as important as your paintwork, especially in winter. This bedroom is wallpapered in Resene Botanica Wallpaper Collection 33951.

August in the garden

The Tui Garden website says that with spring approaching, it’s time to start thinking about preparing and planning for planting, including sprouting your seed potatoes to ensure a Christmas harvest. August is also the perfect time for a winter tidy – clip the hedges and edges and prune a selection of fruit trees.

In terms of veges, you can plant beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, peas, mesclun, onions, silverbeet and spinach.

For fruit, all deciduous fruit trees can be planted in July, August and September while the plants are still dormant. Remember that fruit requires a position in full sun, and shelter from prevailing winds is preferable. It’s also strawberry planting time – to ensure a good strawberry crop the plants need to have a period of winter chilling. Try this tiered strawberry planter DIY to get you started.