Prepare Your Home for Winter with These Fall Maintenance Tips

Prepare Your Home for Winter with These Fall Maintenance Tips

Fall is in the air and the weather is beginning to change. You will soon notice crisper days and cooler nights. With summer ending, it’s time to start preparing for winter. Just like you need to take your sweaters out of storage to be ready for cooler months ahead, you also need to get your home ready for the change in seasons.

There are a few things every homeowner should take care of in the fall to prepare for the upcoming cooler months. Use this checklist to help you plan your fall home maintenance, and your home will be ready for the winter months ahead.

Outside Your Home

•  Check your gutters and make sure they are still securely fastened. Clean out any debris that has accumulated so they can drain.
•   Visually inspect your roof, and fix any small issues like broken shingles or leaks before they become big problems.
•   Check the siding on your home, and caulk any visible cracks. This helps prevent further deterioration.
•  Clean your patio furniture and barbecue grill, and store them in your garage or a shed, so they won’t be damaged by cold and moisture.
• Seal your wood railings and deck, to protect them from the cold weather.
• Clean up leaves in the yard and trim trees and bushes away from the house, so they won’t damage siding.

Inside Your Home

•  Check the weather stripping around doors and windows and replace as necessary. By sealing these areas, you can save up to 20% on heating costs over the winter.
•  Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This should be done at least once a year to keep them functioning properly.
•  Have your heater inspected by a professional, before it turns cold.
•  If you have a wood burning stove, have the chimney cleaned and checked for damage.

Your home is your biggest investment, and you want to protect it. By taking care of these basic home maintenance tasks, you can make sure your home stays safe and comfortable throughout the winter.

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Photo courtesy Julia Freeman-Woolpert, Stock.XCHNG