As our homes go through the changing of the seasons, it is our responsibility to ensure that our homes are well-equipped for the shift in weather conditions. For homeowners, autumn is the best time to prepare a home against potential damage from the winter weather. Here are a few tips to get a jump on the season.
- Have your heating system checked by a professional
Although we maintain our heating systems regularly, there are still a few things that we need to do to ensure that they are operating at maximum efficiency – and for this, we need to seek help from a licensed professional. They will inspect and cleanup your heating systems in preparation for the winter season. And more importantly, they can identify possible damage that could put your home and family’s life at risk. - Turn off exterior valves and faucets
Outdoor faucets need to be turned off to protect pipes from bursting when the weather gets below freezing. Homeowners should first make sure that the valves leading to the faucets are closed. After that, open the faucets to drain any remaining water in the pipes. This will prevent water to from freezing up and damaging the pipes when the winter season arrives. - Check and repair your roof
Inspect your roof, check if the shingles are curling, buckling or cracking — this may cause rain water and snow to leak through your roof. Have the flashing seals and vent stacks of your chimneys inspected. Make sure to clear your roof from any debris such as pine needles and leaves, these can retain moisture and can cause damage to your roof. - Prepare your fireplace
Some homeowners rely more on their fireplace than their central heater during fall and winter seasons. When this is the case, proper maintenance is necessary so that we are sure to get the warmth that we need during this time. Discard old ashes and make sure that the damper is open to allow air to move through the chimney. If the air is becoming cold, close back the damper after cleaning. - Caulk around windows and doors
The change in temperature and humidity can cause window seals to crack and shrink. Go through your home and open windows to ensure that the seal and caulking around the window frame is in good condition and free of leaks and drafts. As a rule of thumb, check from inside the house to see if any daylight is streaming through gaps between the door and its frame. You may also add heavier drapery around windows that are extra drafty to help block some air infiltration. Also, replace your screens with storm windows and clean them if needed. - Clean and store seasonal outdoor furniture
Right after the hot summer season ends, power wash outdoor furniture and cushions. After drying them up, store cushions in a dry area to prevent them from cracking and fading over the fall and winter months. Once spring season begins, you’ll be glad to know that they’re all cleaned-up and ready to use! - Clean and prepare garden tools and machines for storage
Lawnmowers, trimmers, and other tools and machines that use fuel to operate will need to be emptied out of fuel. If a machine sits through the winter season with fuel in its tank, the fuel will evaporate and leave build-up in the engine – this can make engines difficult to start. - Replace the filters in your home
If you have a central air conditioning system, air filters need to be replaced on a regular basis. If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it from the window or place a waterproof cover over it. Clean air filters will ensure the health and safety of your family during the fall season. - Take care of your lawn’s needs
Rake up the thick layers of leaves that have built up on your lawn surfaces. Use a mulching mower to shred them into fine pieces. Put the raked leaves in a compost pile or use as mulch. Don’t waste your fallen leaves as this is the best kind of fertilizer, being an excellent source of nutrients and organic matter. - Winterize!
Stock up on safety materials. Take a peek in your garage to make sure you have some essentials before the cold weather comes. Make sure you still have that snow shovel and ice melt on hand. Also, check if your snow blower and other snow removal equipment are still working.
These are just a few ways to take care of your home during the autumn season. If you need a recommendation for services, you can contact Margie at 775.250.3181 or email her at margie@margiemcintyre.com.
