The days are getting shorter, and the nights are getting cooler. Fall has arrived, and it’s time to think about getting your home and yard ready for the seasonal changes ahead.
Take care of these 12 tasks to get your home clean, warm and cozy for the cool days to come.
Fix cracks in asphalt and concrete
Depending on where you live, these may be the last weeks this year when it will be warm and sunny enough to repair driveway and sidewalk cracks.
Clean the gutters
No one loves this job, but we all need to do it annually. A few hours of work can prevent big problems later on.
While you’re up on that ladder, visually inspect your roof for damaged shingles, flashing or vents. You can also inspect the chimney for any missing mortar and repair it by tuck-pointing, if needed.
Turn off your outdoor plumbing
Drain outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems, and cover them to protect them from the freezing weather to come.
Clean outdoor furniture and gardening tools
It may not yet be time to put them away, but go ahead and clean your outdoor furniture and gardening tools so they’re ready for storage over the winter.
Prepare your furnace for winter duty
If you didn’t already do it last spring, consider getting your furnace professionally serviced in time for the cold season. At a minimum, visually inspect your furnace and replace the furnace filter before you start using it on a daily basis.
Clean the fireplace and chimney
Clean out the fireplace, inspect the flue, and ensure the doors and shields are sound. Have the chimney professionally swept if needed. Now’s also the time to stock up on firewood!
Keep the warm air inside and the cold air outside
Inspect your windows and doors. Check weatherstripping by opening a door, placing a piece of paper in the entryway and closing the door. The paper should not slide back and forth easily. If it does, the weatherstripping isn’t doing its job.
Also, now’s the time to re-caulk around windows and door casings, if needed.
Source: Zillow