Fall/Winter is around the corner
As summer draws to a close and fall comes, it can be challenging to do what you need to in order to prepare your home for the fall and winter days ahead. After all, you have so many other things going on, that it’s easy for home maintenance to fall by the wayside.
However, this really doesn’t have to be stressful. In this article, we’ll offer a few tips to help you get started. The best part is, that these tasks are so easy, that you can knock them out in one weekend.
In addition to these tasks, consider calling the pros at WNC Blast Wash & Staining. We serve Lake Junaluska and the surrounding areas. We specialize in log home Sikkens Sealant, deck mold removal, exterior painting, media blasting/staining, and home pressure washing.
11 Ways to Prepare Your Home for the Fall/Winter
Below, we have 13 tips for getting your home ready for the cooler months.
Check for drafts
Take the time to go to every window and door in your home and check for a draft. If you can feel air coming in, you’ll want to take care of it before the cold weather comes. This problem is easy to solve on doors- simply replace the weather stripping. On the other hand, if there’s a draft coming in around a window, the whole thing needs to be replaced- which can get expensive. Therefore, if it’s not a significant draft, you may not want to worry about it.
Clean gutters
This task should actually be done every season. However, it’s most important when you’re preparing for fall because you don’t want them to end up clogged. Leaves falling from the trees will get stuck in the gutters, which can cause damage to your home if the weight gets to be too much.
Start with the ones that are easy to get to, that is you can reach them from your porch or with a small ladder. If this isn’t something you’re comfortable with, you can hire someone to do it for you. If you are, practice proper safety precautions when using a ladder.
You can stay on the ladder to clean your gutters or, if you prefer, you can get up on your ladder and use your leaf blower to clean them out. Either way, take the appropriate steps to ensure your safety.
Remove debris from your roof
While you’re on the ladder cleaning your gutters, take a look at your roof and the condition that it’s in. Take the time to remove rocks, twigs, leaves, and other debris because chances are, even more will accumulate during the fall. Therefore, it’s important to make sure it’s as clean as possible. You may also want to check for other roof issues while you’re looking and consider scheduling a roof inspection.
Purchase firewood
Fall is a great time for bonfires with your loved ones. Therefore, go ahead and purchase enough firewood to get through the fall season. If you want to save yourself a trip, make sure you have enough to get through the winter as well.
Mulch & fertilize your lawn
Once the weather starts cooling off, you won’t need to mow and maintain your lawn as you do during spring and summer. Therefore, it’s important that you run your lawn mower over the leaves to mulch them up and fertilize before it gets too cold.
Mulching the leaves/grass clippings will create a lush environment for the microorganisms in your soil, which will keep the soil and lawn in good condition so that you can enjoy a luscious, thick, green lawn all year.
Pack up summer outdoor accessories
Once it starts cooling off, it’s time to pack up your summer outdoor furniture, including inflatable pools and lounge chairs. Of course, you don’t have to pack everything up. For example, if you plan to host bonfires, you may want to keep out a table and some chairs for people to enjoy the festivities.
Close your pool, trampoline, and other outdoor things
If you have a trampoline, cover it to keep leaves and dirt off of it. In addition, cover the pool to keep it clean so that you can use it when the weather warms back up.
Test smoke alarm/carbon monoxide detectors
As the cold weather approaches, it’s important that you’re equipped to handle emergencies. Take the time to test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. You may want to go ahead and replace the batteries so you can be sure that you and your loved ones are protected if something were to happen.
Rinse off your AC unit
If you’ve used your AC a lot during the summer, you’ll want to rinse it before the weather starts getting cold. Over time, your AC accumulates pollen, dirt, dust, and other debris.
Invest in an air purifier
As the weather turns cold, you probably won’t be opening your doors and windows as much. Therefore, it’s a good idea to purchase an air purifier to improve the air quality in your home. This is something that you can use year-round.
Test your furnace
Your furnace has been unused for several months. Therefore, you must take the time to test it before you really need it. This way, if you need to have it serviced, you have the time to get it done before the weather turns bitter cold.
Call in the Professionals
As summer ends and fall begins, it’s important to be sure that your home is ready for the fall and winter months. In addition to the above tasks, call the pros at WNC Blast Wash & Staining. We serve Lake Junaluska and the surrounding areas. We specialize in log home Sikkens Sealant, deck mold removal, exterior painting, media blasting/staining, and home pressure washing.
By following these tips, you may be able to avoid issues in the future. Plus, by taking the time to handle these tasks, your home will be ready when spring and summer come back around.