It may seem like a chore, but completing fall home maintenance is much easier to do when the weather is still warm or even moderate. What should you do to get your home ready for colder weather? Here are 10 home maintenance tasks to get through this fall:
1) Prep your lawn for winter.
1) Prep your lawn for winter.
- You may be cheering because the heavy grass cutting season is coming to an end
- Before you prepare for shoveling and de-icing, prep your lawn for winter weather
- Give your shrubs one last pruning and take care of weed on your lawn's main focal points
- The last thing you want in the middle of winter is frozen gutters
- Allow them to do their job by making sure they're cleaned out for the season
- Can't reach buried spaces? Hire a professional to help you get your gutters winter-ready
- If you don't currently have a central HVAC system, it's time to remove your window air conditioning units
- It may seem like no big deal to leave them in for the duration of the winter
- If they arn't removed, they could cause unnnecessary drafts and extra energy costs for your family
- Fall is a great time to check for cool air that could be seeping in through windows and doors
- Before winter's chill settles in, cover any gaping holes along your entryways
- When cold weather hits, your home will be nice and cozy
- Fall is the perfect time to make sure your driveway and walkways are free from debris or cracks that could cause damage during the colder months
- You'll want to make sure these areas are safe before snow and ice add extra hazards too
- You may still be doing some watering outside
- It's time to think about shutting off exterior faucets and draining hoses for the winter season
- When freezing temperatures arrive, you'll want to make sure these outdoor water suppliers don't freeze up
- This home maintenance must-do should be done all throughout the year
- If you don't have an emergency supply kit prepared, get one ready now
- Stock up on dry goods, water, flashlights, blankets, batteries, and other supplies that could get your family through a few days in case of extreme weather
- Dryer vents are usually an overlooked home maintenance issue
- Dryer vents can be hazard when cool, dry weather takes over
- At a minimum, built up lint could cause your dryer to be less efficient
- In a worst case scenario, it could cause a house fire
- Make it a priority to clean out your vents this fall
- Fall is the time to cozy up to your fireplace, right?
- First, make sure your chimney is clean
- Call in a professional to ensure you're safe to build warm fires all winter long
- Fall is a good time to have your HVAC system maintained, as well
- Replace your furnace filters
- Have a service professional make sure your entire system is running at its best before cold weather sets in