Ireland’s damp and frosty autumns don’t just affect the outside of your home — moisture and cold can creep indoors too.

Minor issues like draughty windows, condensation, or hidden leaks can quickly escalate into damp patches, mould growth, or even structural damage to walls, ceilings, and floors.

Left unchecked, these problems can lead to higher heating bills, costly repairs, and uncomfortable living conditions.

Tackling them now saves stress, protects your home, and keeps it warm and healthy before winter arrives.

In this guide, we cover:

Seal draughts & gaps — reduce heat loss and energy bills

Prevent damp & condensation — protect finishes and indoor air quality

Check heating systems — avoid mid-winter breakdowns

Protect interior timber & furniture — prevent warping, cracking, and finish damage

Inspect attic & insulation — stop unnecessary heat loss

Safety & emergency readiness — be prepared for seasonal risks

Let’s dive in:

Seal draughts & gaps

Cold air sneaking in around windows, doors, skirting boards, and loft hatches is more than just an annoyance — it can turn your home into a chilly, uncomfortable space.

Even small draughts can make rooms feel significantly colder, causing your heating system to work harder just to maintain a comfortable temperature.

This not only wastes energy, but also drives up your heating bills over the long term.

In addition, draughts allow moisture-laden air to enter, which can worsen condensation and damp issues, particularly around window sills, door frames, and poorly insulated walls.

Left unaddressed, this can lead to peeling paint, mould growth, and even damage to plasterwork and timber.

For families with young children, older residents, or anyone sensitive to cold and damp, unsealed gaps can make the home feel persistently uncomfortable and unhealthy.

By identifying and sealing these gaps now, you can retain heat, reduce energy waste, and prevent the onset of moisture-related problems, creating a warmer, safer, and more efficient home as autumn and winter set in.

Step-by-step guidance:

1. Identify draughts: On a windy day, hold a lit candle near windows, doors, and loft hatches. Flickering flames reveal where cold air is entering. Don’t forget hidden spots like floor skirtings, letterboxes, and gaps around pipework.
2. Prepare surfaces: Remove dust, debris, and any old or cracked sealant. A clean, dry surface ensures adhesives and foams bond properly.
3. Seal larger gaps: Apply Soudal Gap Filler Foam into wider cracks or cavity spaces. The foam expands to fill irregular gaps and should be left to cure fully before trimming excess.
4. Seal smaller gaps: Use Soudal Silicone Sealant along window frames, door edges, and narrow crevices. Smooth with a damp finger for a clean, professional finish.
5. Block heat loss under doors and windows: Fit P Strip Draught Excluder from Exitex along the bottom edges of doors and windows to prevent cold air escaping. It can be easily cut to size for a snug fit, creating an effective barrier against draughts.

Sealing draughts keeps your home warmer and more comfortable, even during windy, damp days.

By reducing unwanted airflow, it eases the workload on your heating system, helping to lower energy bills over time.

Properly sealed gaps also prevent moisture from entering through cracks and crevices, protecting walls, timber, and finishes from damp and mould.

This creates a healthier indoor environment while preserving the structure and appearance of your home, giving you peace of mind throughout the autumn and winter months.

Prevent damp & condensation

Autumn in Ireland brings cool, damp air that easily finds its way into homes, particularly around windows, poorly ventilated bathrooms, and kitchens.

When this moisture condenses on walls and glass, it doesn’t just make rooms feel chilly; over time it can cause unsightly black mould, peeling paint, and damaged plaster.

Left unchecked, condensation can worsen structural issues and create a damp, unhealthy indoor environment that aggravates respiratory conditions and triggers allergies.

In addition to compromising air quality, persistent damp can undermine the lifespan of interior finishes and fittings, leading to costly repairs or early redecoration.

Tackling condensation proactively ensures your home stays dry, comfortable, and safe throughout the autumn and winter months.

Step-by-step guidance:

1. Clean and prep surfaces: Use Frenchic Sugar Soap to remove dust, grease, and grime.
2. Apply protective paint: For kitchens, bathrooms, and problem walls, use Dulux Easycare Kitchen & Bathroom or similar anti-condensation paint.
3. Add mould protection: Apply Mould X Anti Mould Clear Protective Barrier to damp-prone areas or walls before painting. This creates a protective layer that helps prevent mould growth, enhancing the resilience of your paint finish.
4. Improve ventilation: Ensure extractor fans are working; crack windows or open trickle vents on dry days to reduce moisture.

Sealing up damp-prone areas and controlling condensation not only protects your walls and paintwork from unsightly damage but also preserves the integrity of plaster and other interior surfaces.

By keeping moisture at bay, you improve the overall air quality in your home, creating a healthier environment for you and your family, while reducing the risk of mould-related health issues and the need for costly repairs or redecorating.

Check heating systems

A mid-winter heating failure can quickly turn a cosy home into an uncomfortable and stressful environment.

Cold rooms, rising anxiety over repair costs, and the disruption of daily routines are all consequences of a system that hasn’t been properly checked.

Regular maintenance and simple checks before winter can prevent these headaches, ensuring your heating system runs smoothly, efficiently, and reliably when you need it most.

Step-by-step guidance:

1. Bleed radiators: Check for cold patches at the top, which indicate trapped air. Use a radiator key to release the air, catching any drips with a tray or cloth.
2. Check boiler pressure: Ensure the pressure is within the recommended range and top up if needed for optimal system performance.
3. Boost efficiency: Install radiator reflectors behind each radiator to bounce heat back into the room rather than losing it through walls.
4. Monitor performance: Place a digital thermometer in living areas to identify inconsistent heating and spot any underperforming radiators.

By conducting these essential checks, your home will enjoy consistent, even warmth, reducing cold spots and discomfort.

Proactive maintenance safeguards your heating system against unexpected breakdowns, saving you costly emergency repairs.

Additionally, improving efficiency through small measures such as radiator reflectors helps to reduce energy consumption, keeping fuel bills lower while maintaining a comfortable, cosy home environment throughout the colder months.

Protect interior timber & furniture

Autumn’s damp air combined with central heating can put timber under stress.

Window sills, doors, skirting boards, stair rails, and furniture are all vulnerable: wood can warp, crack, or lose its finish, while untreated surfaces may deteriorate faster.

Taking preventative action now not only preserves your home’s aesthetic appeal but also avoids costly repairs and keeps timber structurally sound throughout the season.

Step-by-step guidance:

1. Inspect timber: Examine window sills, doors, skirting boards, stair rails, and furniture for cracks, splits, or signs of wear.
2. Clean surfaces: Remove dust, grime, or any old polish using Frenchic Sugar Soap to ensure the paint adheres properly.
3. Fill small cracks: Apply Linseed Oil Putty to hairline cracks in sills, trim, or furniture, pressing firmly for a moisture-resistant seal.
4. Protect larger surfaces: Apply Frenchic Al Fresco Paint in your chosen colour to tables, chairs, window sills, or stair rails. Its water-based, self-priming, and self-sealing formulation provides long-lasting protection against damp, warping, and heat stress, while delivering a smooth, low-sheen finish.
5. Position furniture wisely: Keep pieces slightly away from radiators to prevent direct heat causing drying or distortion of the timber.

Treating timber with Frenchic Al Fresco Paint shields wood from the combined effects of autumn damp and indoor heating, preserving both its structural integrity and visual appeal.

Surfaces remain strong, smooth, and durable, meaning your furniture, floors, and fixtures stay in top condition, saving you time, stress, and expense while ensuring a warm, comfortable, and well-maintained home through the autumn and winter months.

Inspect attic & insulation

Up to a quarter of a home’s heat can escape through the roof if insulation is insufficient.

Autumn is the ideal time to check your attic before winter sets in.

Damp, leaks, or gaps in loft insulation can worsen over time, leading to higher heating bills, mould growth, and damage to ceilings and roof structures.

Step-by-step guidance:

1. Check insulation depth: Ensure insulation is at least 300mm thick in most Irish homes, topping up if necessary.
2. Inspect for damp: Look for dark patches, water stains, or signs of mould that could indicate leaks.
3. Seal gaps: Use Tescon Air Tightness Tape around loft hatches and vents, apply Gerband Fortax 6400 Airtight Sealant to seal around pipe entries, and insulate exposed pipework with Climaflex Pipe Insulation to reduce heat loss.
4. Ventilation check: Ensure air vents are clear to reduce condensation and prevent trapped moisture in the roof space.
5. Address mould: If black mould appears on interior walls, first remove it with Mould X Chlorine-Free Remover or Mould & Mildew Buster. Once the surface is clean, apply Mould X Anti-Mould Protective Barrier to prevent regrowth. For longer-lasting protection, improve insulation and ventilation, and consider repainting with Zinsser Mould Resistant Interior Paint.

By maintaining proper insulation and addressing leaks, you retain more heat indoors, reducing fuel bills and ensuring a warm home.

Preventing damp and mould also protects your ceilings, roof timbers, and air quality, safeguarding the health and comfort of your household during the colder months.

Safety & emergency readiness

Shorter days, increased heating use, and wet autumn conditions raise the risks of fire, leaks, or minor household emergencies.

Preparing your home now reduces the likelihood of accidents, costly repairs, and stressful last-minute fixes during winter.

Step-by-step guidance:

1. Test alarms: Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing batteries or units as needed.
2. Prepare a repair kit: Keep sealants, fillers, duct tape, and a flashligth accessible for quick fixes.
3. Check essential supplies: Store extra radiator keys, fuses, and a reliable extension lead such as the Powermaster 4 Gang Cable Reel or a 4 Way Surge-Protected Extension Lead so you’re ready for unexpected issues.
4. Inspect electrical safety: Look for frayed cords or overloaded sockets and address immediately to prevent hazards.
5. Plan for emergencies: Keep a small list of emergency contacts for heating or plumbing services in case urgent repairs are needed.

Being proactive with safety and emergency readiness protects your family and home while reducing stress and potential costs from preventable accidents or system failures.

A prepared household ensures peace of mind, letting you enjoy a warm, safe, and comfortable autumn and winter.

Need help preparing your home for autumn and winter?

At MyBuildingSupplies.ie, we understand how Ireland’s damp and chilly autumns can affect your home’s interior.

That’s why we offer expert guidance, practical solutions, and a wide range of high-quality products to help you seal draughts, control damp, protect timber, and ensure your heating system is ready for the colder months.

Whether you’re tackling minor repairs, protecting timber and furniture, or simply seeking advice on the best products and techniques for your home, get in touch with us today.

Your home deserves nothing less than a warm, safe, and well-protected interior that will keep you comfortable throughout Ireland’s autumn and winter.