As the seasons change, your home and yard will need different kinds of tending, care, and maintenance to keep you going through the fall and winter.
Derived from the checklist at Better Homes and Gardens, here are 8 things to do to prepare your home for fall and winter:
1. Clean Your Gutters
Before the leaves begin to fall and start filling up the gutters, make sure you’re starting with clean ones.
Gutters can get clogged and backed up quickly so ensuring they’re clean and clear at the beginning of the season can save many headaches in the rainy, blustery weather.
2. Check Your Roof
While you’re on the ladder cleaning gutters, check your roof for any damage, loose shingles, missing flashing, or other concerns. It’s much easier to complete roof repairs before stormy weather hits, not to mention safer.
If getting up on a ladder isn’t feasible for you, there are plenty of roof and gutter cleaning services you can hire to do the job.
3. Mitigate Drafts
Sun, rain, temperature changes, humidity and age all affect the weather stripping and seals around doors and windows. A quick visual check will tell you if anything needs replacing, but of course you’ll also notice if certain doors or windows are drafty.
Weather stripping and seals can be fixed relatively easily from supplies purchased from one of the big box stores. Different kinds of windows and doors require different types of seals, so be sure to buy the kind you need.
4. Winterize Faucets
If you live somewhere that has early freezing weather, it’s a good idea to winterize faucets and hoses. Detach hoses and store them coiled in a garage, shed, or basement.
Cover outdoor faucets with styrofoam covers until the risk of freezing weather has passed.
5. Change Your Filters
If you’re not in the habit of changing air filters monthly, be sure to get them cleaned or changed before fall when your furnace will be running more often.
A clean filter can save years on your furnace’s life, and also improves the air your household is breathing in during seasons of being more closed indoors.
Having a professional inspection and maintenance performed by a professional HVAC company is also not a bad idea.
6. Clean Your Fireplace
Call a chimney sweep to clean and inspect your fireplace and chimney. This service generally costs around $200 and is necessary to ensure safe fires throughout the season.
7. Check Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested every 6 months. If you can make this part of your Spring and Fall cleaning schedules, you’ll be right on track. Batteries should be replaced every year. Some recommendations call for testing monthly.
8. Rake Leaves
Finally, for some garden therapy (which you know I love!), rake leaves and place them on your garden and flower beds for natural weed barrier, mulching, and composting in place.
Get Ready for Cozy Season
If you’re able to do a little bit of home-care work throughout the year, you’ll keep your investment in top shape. It’s a good idea to review our Summer maintenance list to ensure you’ve covered all your home-care basics before cooler temperatures hit.
