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It’s Time to Prepare Your Home for Cooler Weather
By DinaG | October 13, 2008
Proper maintenance of your home and landscaping will help preserve your investment (…and we all know how important that is these days). Keeping your house in tip-top shape this fall will prevent any unnecessary chores in the spring - that’s the best part!
Here are a few things to remember when prepping your home for the winter:
Outdoor Projects
- Complete exterior painting before cooler weather arrives.
- Check for any cracks in siding or door frames. Re-caulk as needed.
- Cover air conditioner and barbecue to prevent winter damage.
- Store lawn ornaments and patio furniture in a shed or basement. If space is limited, weather-resistant covers can protect outdoor furnishings.
- Store kids toys indoors or in an outdoor shed to prevent rusting and fading.
- Check and repair exterior lighting before daylight fades.
- Replace worn roof shingles or tiles.
- Clean out the gutters and use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris.
- Consider installing leaf guards on the gutters or extensions on the downspouts to direct water away from the home.
- Drain all outdoor faucets
Lawn and Garden
- Till and prepare planting beds when the soil is relatively dry. By adding soil and mulch to your beds, you’ll be a step ahead for spring planting.
- Plant spring blooming bulbs and perennials - come April, you’ll be hapy you made the effort!
- Protect roses, saplings and small trees by sheltering them with a burlap screen.
- Pull weeds to reduce the number of seedlings next spring.
- Mow grass short for the final cut of the year by reducing the cutting height gradually to 3.5 cm (from 7.4 cm) until the grass stops growing.
Interior Projects
- Schedule a furnace inspection. Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts. Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.
- Check and clean dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood and room fans. Keep heating and cooling vents clean and free from furniture and draperies.
Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Check Fire Extinguishers
- Buy extra smoke detector batteries and change them when daylight savings ends.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and / or water heater.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work
- Replace any fire extinguisher older than 10 years. You should have at least one on every floor of your home - YES…including the basement! Make sure they are placed in easy to locate areas and that everyone in your homes is familiar with where they are.
Topics: Atlanta-Georgia, Energy Savers, New Home Building, Roswell-Georgia, Smyrna-Georgia |
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