Most North London gardens spend the winter neglected, and by the time spring arrives there is usually a list of jobs that have built up: a cracked patio, sagging fence panels, a shed roof that needs attention. Getting ahead of these before summer means you actually get to use the garden once the weather improves, rather than spending the season fixing it.
Some of this is straightforward maintenance you can do yourself. Other jobs, particularly anything involving drainage, structural boundary walls or larger landscaping, are worth having looked at properly so they last.
Check patios, paths and decking
Frost movement over winter often loosens paving slabs and opens up joints in older patios. Check for slabs that rock underfoot, which are a trip hazard as well as an eyesore, and look at pointing between paving that may need raking out and refilling. Timber decking should be checked for rot, particularly where it meets the ground or sits close to soil, and re-treated or replaced where boards have gone soft.
Fences, walls and boundaries
Boundary fences take a battering from winter winds and often need panels replaced or posts reset in concrete. If you share a boundary wall with a neighbour, particularly a garden wall between terraced properties, bear in mind that significant work to a shared wall may fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, so it is worth checking before starting substantial rebuilding work.
Drainage and standing water
Gardens that flood after heavy rain, or where water sits on the patio rather than draining away, usually have a fall problem or a blocked drainage channel. Sorting this before summer avoids a soggy garden every time it rains and protects any new landscaping or decking you install from sitting in water.
Outbuildings and garden structures
Sheds, summer houses and garden offices should be checked for roof leaks, rotten timber and failed felt or shingles before they are used through summer. If you are considering adding a garden room or outbuilding, note that permitted development rules limit height, footprint and proximity to boundaries, so it is worth checking what applies to your property, particularly if you are in a conservation area.
Jobs worth doing before summer arrives
- Re-pointing or relaying loose patio slabs
- Treating or replacing rotten decking boards
- Repairing or replacing damaged fence panels and posts
- Clearing and testing garden drainage channels and gullies
- Checking outbuilding roofs for leaks before the season starts
- Cutting back overgrown planting that blocks access to sheds or side passages
When to bring in a builder rather than a gardener
Planting and general tidying is a job for a gardener, but structural repairs to patios, retaining walls, drainage and garden buildings are building work and should be treated that way, particularly on sloped sites or where a wall retains soil against a neighbouring property. Getting this right the first time avoids repeat repairs every winter.
If your garden needs more than a tidy up, whether that is a new patio, drainage work or a garden room, Hozea Construction can give you a free fixed-price quote. Call 07969 378509 to arrange a visit.
Common questions
- Do I need permission to rebuild a garden wall?
- Rebuilding your own garden wall usually does not need planning permission, but if it is shared with a neighbour you may need to serve a party wall notice before starting work.
- How do I stop my garden flooding after rain?
- Check that paved areas have a slight fall away from the house and that drainage channels or gullies are not blocked. Persistent flooding usually needs a proper drainage assessment.
- Can I put a garden room up without planning permission?
- Many garden rooms fall under permitted development, but there are limits on height, footprint and distance from boundaries, and conservation areas can have tighter rules.