Midcheshire Independent Issue 198

NOVEMBER 2026 16 • No more moss or lichen • Maintenance free • Choice of colour (suit all homes) • Hassle-free installations • Improve domestic efficiency • Fully guaranteed IMPROVE AROOF THERMALLY EFFICIENT • ENERGY SAVING • WATERPROOF CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE NO OBLIGATION SURVEY 01625 879787 0800 046 9686 or simply click www.improvearoof.co.uk & request a free roof survey 25% DISCOUNT FOR INDEPENDENT READERS T r u s t I m p r o v e A R o o f ’ s y e a r s o f e x p e r i e n c e t o p r o v i d e : Independent HOMES & GARDEN AS the nights draw in and the garden takes a breather, autumn is the most important season on the cal- endar if you want a show-stopping lawn next spring. Summer’s heat and the heavy footfall from the school holidays can leave turf look- ing a little worse for wear, but a little seasonal TLC now will pay dividends when theweather warms up again. Grass growth naturally slows as temperatures drop and days shorten, meaning you can finally give the mower a bit of a rest. Raise your cutting height to at least an inch, so the blades can retain more moisture and with- stand the chill. Aim to mow no more than once a fortnight unless we experi- ence an unusuallymild spell. Always clear away fallen autumn leaves before you mow. If left to sit on the turf, damp leaves quickly rot down, smother the grass, block out precious light, and invite lawn diseases. If moss and weeds have started encroaching over summer, they need to be brought under control before you start any intensive maintenance. Unwanted weeds and moss do more than just ruin the look of your lawn as theyaggressively steal vital light,water, space, and nutrients from your grass roots. If you can remove themby hand, that’s great. If not, once any treatments have had time to work their magic, you can move on to the next step. Over time, a dense layer of deadmoss and organic matter, like thatch, builds up at the baseof your turf, block- ing water and fertiliser from reaching the roots. Give the lawn a thorough raking, knownas scarifying, whichwillliftoutthisdeadmaterialand keep grass and clover runners under control. Doing this now ensures that air and moisture can get right down to where they are needed most, while preparing a clean bed for overseeding. After the drought and lack of rain this summer, heavy foot traffic and garden furniture can severely compact soil over the summer, leading to poor drainage and weak grass. Push a gar- den fork intothesoil at regular intervals to perforate the surface, letting air, water, and nutrients penetrate deeply to the roots. For unevenground, lumps, or bumps, use an edging iron or spade to slice beneath the turf carefully, roll it back, and level the soil underneath before pressing it back down. Where the lawn has worn thin or patchy, autumn’s warm and hopefully wetter soil and frequent rain make it the ideal time for overseeding. Sowing fresh seed thickens the turf, crowds out weeds, and restores a uniform, healthy green finish. PAINTING BATHROOM TILES LIKE A REAL PRO PAINTING bathroom tiles is a task commonly undertaken by homeowners looking to update their bathroomwithout spend- ing a fortune or having to put up with a load of disruption and mess involving stripping away existing tiles. If this is a job that you fancy giv- ing a go, make sure you get well prepared with the right tools for the job and a paint that is suita- ble for use on tile – you can’t use just any old paint you have lying around and expect perfect results. As with so many small bathroom upgrades, the key to success tends to lie in putting in the right prepa- ration work. When starting a tile painting project, you’ll need a very clean and porous surface for the primer and paint to adhere to. Therefore it’s best to start by giving the tile a thorough .clean with a mixture of warm water and trisodium phos- phate. Once you’ve cleaned the tile with this solution, you’ll want to rinse it well with clean warm water and then dry completely with a tack cloth.” You will obviously want a perfect finish and this means repairing any cracked or broken tile before you begin painting. Perhaps the most important step before applying any paint is to prime the surface with two applications of primer that is for- mulated for tile. It is critical to use a primer that is suitable for tiles. Remember, for better results, you must allow the primer to dry for at least 24 hours.” It tends to be easiest to use a brush to apply your primer, but you could use a roller. Now for the bit that will take your tile from shabby to super stylish right before your very eyes – applying your chosen paint. Applying thin coats and allow- ing each coat to dry thoroughly, will provide the best results. You can use a brush or roller for this process but don’t forget to cover both tiles and grout. Let the paint dry properly. If required, apply a second coat. Your final step should be to seal your tile – this will ensure a longer-lasting finish and make your hard work worthwhile. Add a layer of polyurethane sealer to protect your surface. Just as when painting walls, it is crucial that you use the right products for the materials you are working with and the room you are applying them in. Epoxy or a two-process paint is best for tile applications as they are more durable and resistant to moisture and heat than other types of paint. Autumn lawn care tips