Fall is here! The temperatures are dropping, the leaves are starting to change and everyone seems to be loving it. The time has come to finish up any last-minute summer maintenance projects and get your home and yard ready for follow. We have some quick and easy tips to get your home clean, warm and ready for fall (and the dreaded early winter days).
Outside
- Clean out the gutters. Everyone’s least favorite job but now is one of the most important times to be doing it. A few hours of work can prevent big problems later one. While you are up there, give the roof a good look to look for any damaged shingles, flashing or vents. You should also inspect the chimney.
- Turn off outdoor plumbing. When the time is right and those hopes of random warm days are over, drain outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems, and cover them to protect them from freezing during the winter.
- Clean outdoor furniture and gardening tools. It may not be quite time to put them away yet but go ahead and make sure your outdoor furniture and gardening tools are cleaned up and ready for storage.
- Plant bulbs for spring-blooming flowers. Spring will be here before we know it, hopefully. So be prepared by planting bulbs this month, as soon as the soil has cooled down, you will reap big rewards next spring. If you’ve ever planted bulbs before, select a spot in your yard that gets full sun during the day.
Inside
- Prepare your furnace. Visually inspect your furnace and replace the furnace filter before turning it on for the first time. If you want, you can go the extra step to get it professionally looked at before it gets too cold.
- Clean the fireplace and chimney. Clean out the fireplace, make sure the flue is operating properly, and that doors and shields are sound. Then, stock up on firewood!
- Keep the warm air inside and the cold air outside. Inspect your windows and doors. If you are feeling cold air come in through the cracks, the weather stripping isn’t doing its job. Now would be the time to re-caulk around the windows and door casings if needed before you spend too much on your heating bill.
- Light the way. Bring as much light into your home as you can for the colder, darker months. To accentuate natural light, clean your windows and blinds, especially in rooms that get a lot of sunlight. Add lighting to darker spaces easily with new lamps and consider replacing tradition incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs.
- Create a mudroom or drop zone. As the weather gets colder, it is going to require more layers. If you do not have a designated mudroom, it is time to think about creating an area where those coming and going from the home can drop their things or extra layers. Also put down an indoor/outdoor run to protect the floor.
These are a few quick and easy projects to begin preparing your space for all. Once you have checked a couple of these off the list then it is time to sit back and enjoy the season in your warm home.