The hot summer days are getting shorter and nights are growing longer which means that it’s time for the seasons to change. As we close out another summer, it’s time to look towards fall in preparation for winter. As you do, take some time to consider your home’s needs as you plan for some of the more beautiful and pleasant months of the year coming up.
The seasons are changing, so we’ve put together our tips on how to prepare your home for fall.
Check Weather Stripping and for Drafts
Older homes are especially susceptible to drafts especially as they continue to age. Weatherstripping is part of what keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer as it eliminates outside air from infiltrating your house. If you live in an older home, especially one built on piers and beams, then some drafts may very well be unavoidable unless you do some serious construction.
Drafts are easy to identify when the weather turns sour, but it’s better to get a jump on them before the cold arrives. Check doors, windows, and under-sink cabinets for drafts as these areas are usually the suspects when we feel a bit of a chill in our homes. Identify any worn-out or torn weather stripping and replace it, if you can insulate underneath your sinks and cabinets then do so. Otherwise, make sure there aren’t any obvious air gaps and seal up anything that’s visibly troublesome.
Clean Gutters and Check Drainage
Your gutters have likely accumulated a fair amount of funk over the course of the summer and as the leaves begin to fall, your gutters can practically become a roofline compost bin if you’re not careful. Take the time to clean out your gutters in anticipation of wet winter weather. If possible, consider adding screens or filtration to prevent autumn leaves from clogging your filters over the cooler months.
Second, check your property’s drainage. Over time, traditional drainage areas around driplines or adjacent to downspouts can get filled in with dirt or debris naturally. Clear out these natural drainage areas and ensure that water will be running away from your house sufficiently enough to keep it from inundating your foundation or seeping underneath your home.
Chop, Collect, or Buy Firewood
For folks in northern climates, firewood is likely an essential part of keeping your home warm during the winter months. For those in the southern part of the country, firewood is more of a luxury and less of a necessity. In either case, now is the time to start chopping, collecting, and/or buying firewood.
If you have property, then chances are that there are some areas on your property that need limbs trimmed or entire trees taken down. As leaves fall from trees, this is a great time to do a little maintenance of your trees without adding additional foliage to dispose of. This is a cheap and easy way of getting firewood and can supplement what you would otherwise purchase.
Do Some Fall Cleaning
Over the course of a busy summer, your shed and garage may turn into a war zone. There’s nothing wrong with it especially if you’ve used your shed and lawn equipment over the past few months, but leaving things strewn about during the winter can create a perfect habitat for critters to make homes within your home.
Not only that, but you’ll want to organize your shed or garage so when the spring does come around, you’ll be ready to tackle home maintenance and projects.
