Ahhhh…. Fall is in the air, my friends! Saying goodbye to summer is always sad for us, but we do embrace and love all the offerings of fall. That also means it’s time for a little home maintenance around the Fusaro abode. We put together this helpful little list for you to guide you on what you should consider doing to prepare your home for the colder months ahead.
Clean gutters and downspouts frequently throughout fall to prevent the build up of leaves and other debris 🍂🍁
Not only will leaf-clogged gutters create overflow, but it can also lead to wood rot problems, pest infestations, ruined gutters, and problems with your roof or siding. 😬Eek… let’s just avoid that one. After you’ve cleaned them out, consider adding gutter guards that will prevent debris from happening in the future.
2. Do some landscaping 🌳🍃
Fall is a great time to prune your trees and shrubs after the leaves change to help encourage healthy growth for next year. It’s also the time to trim any tree limbs that are close to power lines or the roof of your home as snow and ice can lay on these branches, making them heavy and causing them to fall… let’s not let that be on our roofs or power lines!😣
3. Check your sidewalks, walkways, stairs and driveway.
Make sure everything is in good shape to make for easier shoveling. It’s also a good idea to make certain that sturdy handrails are in place. We’ve all seen the videos of people sliding across the ice, falling etc. As funny as they are (when no one is hurt of course…) it won’t be as funny if it’s you! 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
4. Take a look at your windows and doors.👀
Inspect your windows and door frames. Make any repairs to any loose or damaged ones. It’s also a good time to check/redo the caulking around your doors and windows to prevent drafts and tiny critters from coming into your home to find a warm place to call their own for a few months. 🐭 Caulking will also lower your heating bill so there is that…
5. Take a walk around your home and see if anything needs repaired.🔎 Check your roof, siding and foundation so that any major repairs can happen before the winter weather sets in.
6. Check your chimney.
Now is a good time to have it serviced and cleaned. Fireplaces that are regularly used during the season should have an annual cleaning to prevent chimney fires. 🔥🔥🔥
You should also check your flue for a tight seal when it is closed.
7. Shut off your exterior faucets and put away those hoses.
Protect your pipes from freezing temperatures by shutting off water to exterior faucets before the weather dips below freezing. Take it from someone who has made the mistake of not doing this… it’s worth the few extra minutes🥶🥶 Otherwise, you might have a repair in your home you weren’t expecting. You will also want to drain your hoses and store them indoors.
8. Service your furnace.
Replace your filters. This quick chore will help keep your system running smoothly. You may also want to have your furnace checked over by a professional to make sure it doesn’t leave you cold at the worst possible time. It’s also cheaper to make minor repairs than to have a major repair or replacement bill thrown on your lap.
9. Prepare your plumbing
Make sure all your pipes are well-insulated to prevent your pipes from freezing. Also make sure you know where your water shut-off valve is so you can turn it off in case your pipes do freeze. 😬
10. Last, but certainly not least, is to stock up on your winter supplies. This can be wood for your fireplace, fuel for your snowblower, and make sure you have snow shovels and ice scrapers on hand.
There ya have it! Happy prepping, friends! 😊😊