As we adjust from Summer to fall, we will notice the temps will start to adjust downward, and we are reminded Winter will be coming and Fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for winter so the heat warms your family and not the outside. If you use fall to prepare your home for winter, you can spend more time cozying up on the couch, enjoy a warm fire, and relax, knowing you’ve completed all the seasonal upkeep and can now savor the season. Every season, there are things we should do to prepare our home for the coming season. We are officially into Fall, and Fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for winter.
1) Clean out gutters. Clogged gutters and drains can form ice dams that prevent your drainage systems from working correctly. Blocked drains can lead to water seeping into your home, leading to all sorts of issues and extra energy costs.
Photo Credit Mandie Barber
2) Clean leaves and branches around the home. I cleared the lawn, which is clear of tree branches and leaves, which is a safe home. Moreover, your clean-up will be less when winter has passed and you are heading into spring. Additionally, with a clean lawn, you’ll find it easier to maintain. Furthermore, a well-maintained property enhances your outdoor space.
Home Safety and Lower Energy Bills
3) Keep the cold air out and warm in. Seal gaps in stationary house components like door frames, weatherstripping, and moving parts like operable windows.
4) Replace lights if out. Look around outside your home and replace light bulbs that are out. Adjust timers to reflect when the sun will be going down.
5) Swap out smoke and carbon detector batteries and swap out air filters.
6) Reverse your ceiling fans. Reverse your fans to create an updraft, pushing down heated air from the ceiling. By circulating warm air, you’ll use heat more efficiently, which could cut energy costs. Reverse your fan direction when the weather changes, even without high ceilings.
7) Drain fuel from small gas-powered engines. Gasoline doesn’t last forever. It decomposes quickly. In small machines like lawnmowers or weed eaters, stale fuel can clog the carburetor, preventing winter startup. Prevent this with a fuel stabilizer or late summer/early fall running.
Landscaping
8) Cut back trees and bushes. Winter snow and ice storms can make healthy tree branches break from the heavy load. Cutting back branches that overhang your home could help avoid roof damage if a component breaks. Ice-coated branches are heavy and can damage roofs, even fall through, and cause damage to the interior of your home.
9) Get a tree expert to inspect if dead trees should be removed before winter. Removing dead trees can help keep your home safe.
10) service your snow plow before the first snowflake falls in snowy states. Order salt and sand and have it in stock so the first storm, you are ready to go. Prepare your portable generator and ensure enough flashlight batteries for power outages.
11) If you are not in charge of snow removal, speak to folks before the white stuff arrives. Get estimates on how much it will cost.
12) If you need wood chopped, get it down before the temp drops.
If you are looking for a vendor to help get your fall task done. Please reach out. We have a preferred vendor. list
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